MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor David Gill has warned the proposed sale of land at HMAS Cerberus could threaten one of the peninsula’s rarest bird species.
The powerful owl, which is listed as vulnerable in Victoria, can be found in open forests and woodlands and requires old-growth trees for nesting.
Gill said the navy base land contains some of the peninsula’s last remaining untouched bushland and provides important habitat for the species.
“Powerful owls are dependent on hollows in old trees for nesting and raising their young,” said Gill.
“The Cerberus base has the necessary old indigenous trees that hollow out, but the federal government has decided to put the bushland around the base on the market and is now seeking public feedback.”
In February, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced HMAS Cerberus would be “partially divested” as part of a sale of 35,000 hectares of defence real estate (“HMAS Cerberus to be ‘partially divested’ in defence land sell-off”, The News, 04/02/26).
Approximately 1,164 hectares of the Cerberus site is proposed for divestment.
Mornington Peninsula Shire sought community feedback on its draft submission to the federal government, which outlines the shire’s preferred use of the land if divested.
Community consultation closed on 25 August, and council is due to submit the submission in December.
In its draft form, the submission requested the land be primarily used for environmental conservation with limited and carefully managed recreation, tourism, and/or aquaculture.
Gill said development or loss of bushland in the area could reduce habitat for the powerful owl, which is already threatened due to human activity.
“The sale of Cerberus may be the final straw for this species to be seen again on the Mornington Peninsula,” said Gill.
Roger Richards, a local bird expert, said he estimates there to be six or seven pairs of powerful owls remaining on the peninsula.
“There are relatively small numbers of them,” said Richards.
“To keep their habitat intact is very important.”
Richards said any development in the area could have a significant impact on the species.
“The Mornington Peninsula is important habitat for the powerful owl, specifically areas such as Cerberus, where you don’t have a lot of people there,” said Richards.
“Powerful owls don’t like to be disturbed.”
Environmental concerns over the divestment of the land have also been raised by community groups.
On 24 August, the environmental group Save Westernport appeared as the first witness at a public hearing into the planned disposal of Defence estate assets, including the Cerberus land (“Committee looks at Cerberus sell-off, as environment group digs in for fight”, The News, 02/09/26).
At the hearing, president of Save Westernport, Jane Carnegie, said the land should not be divested for commercial sale.
“We, as a community, say hands off. This land is not for sale,” said Carnegie.
“Cerberus is of the highest environmental significance with its diverse ecosystems, endangered species, migratory birds and border with the Ramsar Wetlands of Westernport.
“It must be preserved for conservation, and its flora and fauna protected.”
Community opposition to the proposed divestment has been ongoing.
Over 300 people attended a community consultation on 10 June, with seemingly all attendees in opposition to the proposed divestment (“Fiery meeting over Cerberus sell-off plans”, The News, 15/06/26).
First published in the Mornington News – 15 September 2026
