At their May meeting, Moyne Shire councilors voted to extend the amount of time owners can walk their dogs on beaches.

Previously, the dogs on beaches restriction period began on December 1, but that has now been extended to Christmas Eve.

The amendment, which came in place after a trial last year and submissions from the public, requires dogs to be restrained within 50 metres of marked nest sites between Connolly Street and Anna Catherine Drive.

Moyne Shire Mayor Mick Wolfe said steps were in place to protect the hooded plover population on the beach.

"Further signage will be erected to indicate where hooded plovers are nesting and in these areas dogs will have to be on a lead at all times," Cr Wolfe said.

"The decision to keep dogs restrained in these areas is a direct response to a community-led petition that highlighted the importance of reducing impacts of dogs on shore nesting birds, in particular, hooded plovers."

Cr Wolfe said the influx of visitors to the town for the summer holidays does not begin in earnest until Boxing Day, clearing the way for residents of the town to squeeze some more time out of their beach dog-walking activities.

"It makes sense that local dog owners get to enjoy an three extra weeks of day time access at all Port Fairy beaches," Cr Wolfe said.

"While I know there are some in our community opposed to the change, most of us are responsible dog owners who enjoy taking our dogs to the beach during the day, especially as the weather warms up."

In other environmental news from council's May meeting, the distribution of funds from Moyne's Community Carbon Offset Program were agreed upon.

Groups successful in securing funding included Illowa Community Recreation Reserve ($290), Mailors Flat Tennis Club ($533) and Friends of Pallisters Reserve ($1080). Funding was also awarded to a number of shire residents.