Advocacy

Building from the ABM Strategic Plan 2025–29, our members have come together at workshops and online to craft an advocacy position for the 2026 State Election.

Victoria’s Coastal Commitment is a three-part campaign. ABM asks the Victorian Government to:

• create a Parliamentary Secretary for Marine and Coasts to lead a coordinated government response to coastal action
• develop a Port Phillip Bay Coastal Adaptation Infrastructure Investment Plan
• lead and fast-track clear and consistent coastal planning for Port Phillip Bay.

This campaign acknowledges the serious threat climate change combined with a growing population poses to our bay and our communities. It outlines the next steps we think the state government needs to take and how local government can work with them on this journey.

Local government plays an important role in preserving our coastal and marine environments. However, we can’t do this important work alone. It will require a collaborative and coordinated effort.

Victoria’s Coastal Commitment is a call to action for whichever government is elected in November. The three issues it addresses – coordination, funding and planning – are our path forward.

To learn more, download our position papers.