Without consultation and ignoring reports they commissioned themselves, the State Government extended Cape Paterson’s Northern Boundary.
This means the area north of Seaward Drive is open to MASSIVE overdevelopment. Currently there is a proposal for the addition of over 900 new houses, more than doubling the current size of Cape Paterson. It’s just too much.
FIND OUT THE LATEST, AND HOW YOU CAN HELPUPDATE: October 2025
NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT The Cape Paterson Northern boundary is finalised. At last! The Statement of Planning Policy for the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscape was published in the Victorian Government Gazette on Tuesday 14th October. That means it is now legally enforceable for all future planning applications. You can visit the Engage Victoria website for a brief update, or you can download the Special Government Gazette S563 14th October https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette_bin/recent_gazettes.cfm?bct=home|recentgazettesThe Cape Paterson northern boundary is now at Seaward Drive, and is a Protected Settlement Boundary. Under the DAL legislation this means that it cannot be changed at the whim of a future Planning Minister (as it was in 2011). Any change will need the approval of both houses of State Parliament. This has been a long journey for the CPRRA, going back to 2009. Committee members and residents have attended many Council meetings, lobbied State Members, Planning Ministers and written hundreds of submissions along with making presentations at Planning Panels and Committee hearings. The “Save Cape Paterson” placards on so many fences also helped, especially when the Planning Minister came to visit last year. We’ll provide any updates (and perhaps have a little celebration) at the AGM in January.Meanwhile, enjoy the good news.
When the Surf Coast (Torquay region) DAL SPP was declared (where a previous Planning Minister had also changed a boundary against panel advice), the developers sought to have the decision set aside in the Supreme Court. They lost and had costs awarded against them.Stay tuned for further updates.
Parents' Group
The H5N1 Avian Influenza has now been found in Australia along the coasts including Victoria in dying or dead wild birds Call 1800 675 888 if you see a dead bird or animal on the beach and do not touch (or let your dog).
Bird 'Flu update, Weed removal bee at Harmers, IT refresh update. What's on...
Go to the News Page for an archive of past editions of Cape Conversations.
Our next Working Bee will be
This month we're finally back "on schedule" doing our regular second Saturday of the month working bee. We will be planting and weeding to the coastal reserve west of the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club. The weeding will involve removing more of the boneseed and pittosporum and replacing them with seedlings provided by Bass Coast Shire Council (badly needed manna gums and banksias) as well as some coastal wattles closer to the dunes. We will need extra hands for the plant guards - our new plants will be vulnerable to grazing animals (wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and the occasional hog deer).
Meet at the First Surf Beach car park at 9am.
Wear clothing appropriate for the weather (hats for sunny conditions, rain coats for wet conditions) - sturdy shoes and long sleeve trousers and shirts are required due to the rugged condtions we're working in. CPRRA will provide the plants, guards and equipment needed. We will also provide and BBQ lunch (or better!) depending on numbers of volunteers.
Cold weather is coming to an end. Guling (orchids) are flowering. Ae-noke (caterpillars) of Common Brown butterfly feed on grasses at night. Muyan (Silver Wattles) are flowering. Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males perform the last of their courtship displays.The star Arcturus is seen on the northwestern horizon soon after sunset. Gurrborra (Koalas) begin mating. Males bellow at night.
"The orchids, that's those little ones. They grow down on the flat too across Badger Creek - has a little flower like a star. If we had a headache Granny Jemima would pick that and boil it and give you a very little bit to drink." Jessie Hunter, 1999
Cool, rainy days follow misty mornings. The time of highest rainfall and lowest temperatures.
Waring (wombats) emerge to bask and graze in the sunshine.
Bulen-bulen (Superb Lyrebird) males perform their courtship displays.
Hearts of Kombadik (Soft Tree-ferns) are the major food when no fruits are available.
Days are short and nights are long. The constellation of Sagittarius rises in the southeast after sunset, indicating the mid-point of cold weather.
'Wumangurruditj, that's wombat. Put a piece of wombat, a piece of pork and a piece of porcupine [echidna] and you can't tell the difference.' Jessie Hunter, 1999
Hot winds cease and temperatures cool. Iuk (eels) are fat and ready to harvest.
Binap (Manna Gum) is flowering.
Days and nights are of equal length.
Lo-An Tuka, the Hunter, is the star Canopus, seen almost due south at sunset.
'We used to set a fishing line at night time, mostly in the lagoons. We got eels out of that… they'd go down to where Badger Creek runs into the Yarra. If eels were running that plentiful they'd make a net and put that in.' Martha Nevin, 1969.
