MOYNE Shire councillor Jill Parker will set her eyes to the coast as the new chairwoman of the Western Coast Regional Coastal Board.
Cr Parker, also a National Sea Change Taskforce representative and Moyne Shire Conservation and Environment Committee chairwoman, will join the reappointed Dr John Sherwood from Deakin University, and Shipwreck Coast Marketing CEO Carole Reid, on the board.
The Western Coastal board has a central role in planning and advising coastal and marine environments extending from Breamlea near Torquay across to the South Australian border.
Cr Parker said members planned to hold their first meeting next Friday to meet and develop a working relationship.
“I’ve always had an interest in the coast, even though I no longer live there,” she said.
“I grew up in Torquay and when I first moved to the Western District I missed the sound of the surf more than anything else.
“Because of my science background I’ve always had an interest in ecological things and as a geography teacher I’ve been teaching about coastal areas, so I guess I’ve had a first-hand interest.
“I’m a generalist but I look forward to working with experts to see how we can facilitate coastal development.”
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith appointed six new members to the board this week to develop a coastal action plan for the region and provide advice on coastal development and use.
Mr Smith said Cr Parker had extensive experience as a committee member and chairwoman of various community and local government committees.
“One of the board’s main responsibilities will be to develop an over-arching coastal action plan for the region,” he said.
“Cr Parker will join the chairs of Victoria’s two other coastal boards — Gippsland Lakes and Coast Regional Coastal Board and Central Coast Regional Coastal Board — as a member of the Victorian Coastal Council, helping to ensure the coast is well managed across the state.”