Board of Management Update – December 2025
This month, the Phillip Island Nature Parks Board met on 9 December for its regular meeting, followed by two important advisory committee sessions on 10 December – the Reconciliation Advisory Committee and the Community and Environment Advisory Committee.
It was a meeting held on a truly historic day for Victoria. The Victorian Government was making an official apology to First Peoples in Parliament – a powerful step towards healing and justice. This apology was a key recommendation of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and follows the adoption of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025.
As a public land manager, we’re proud to play our part in supporting the Bunurong Traditional Owners of Milawul and contributing to the State’s commitment to Treaty.
Welcoming Our New Chair – Matt McDonald
We’re thrilled to announce Matt McDonald as the new Chair of the Nature Parks Board!
Matt brings incredible experience from his leadership roles at Searoad Ferries (CEO) and the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (Chair 2019–2024). Beyond tourism, Matt has a deep passion for marine conservation, backed by formal study and early career work in marine biology and zoology.
His unique blend of conservation and tourism expertise will help us accelerate our vision:
“To create an island haven where nature and people thrive together.”
Summerland Peninsula Masterplan – Next Steps
The Board reviewed progress on the Summerland Peninsula Masterplan and the fantastic engagement with key stakeholders so far. We’re excited by the feedback received and how it’s shaping different scenarios with the Community Reference Group for the broader community to consider.
There’s still more work to do on important elements like access and transport, so we’ve extended the engagement timeframe and we welcome further community input. A draft Masterplan will be released for public comment after this next round of engagement, planned for late January through February 2026.
Keep an eye on penguins.org.au in the new year for details on how you can get involved!
Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands – Stage 3 Begins
Big news for our iconic Penguin Parade! We’ve appointed Simpson Construction to kick off Stage 3 of the Boardwalks and Viewing Stands Redevelopment early in the new year.
This stage will:
- Complete the replacement of boardwalks connecting the viewing stands to the visitor centre
- Upgrade beachside bathroom amenities
The work will roll out over 18 months, carefully staged to minimise impacts on wildlife while ensuring visitors continue to enjoy the magic of the Penguin Parade.
We’re also redesigning the viewing stands (Stage 4) to:
- Manage coastal erosion impacts
- Improve accessibility and visitor experience
- Maintain a safe and world-class penguin viewing experience
Visitation – A Record-Breaking Start!
We’ve had the highest winter visitation on record and steady numbers through spring. With strong summer bookings, celebrating 1 million visitors this year we’re feeling optimistic for the year ahead!
Churchill Island and the Koala Conservation Reserve have seen double-digit growth from self-drive travelers – a great sign that visitors are staying longer and exploring more of Phillip Island.
We are confident these trends, combined with ongoing investment in our experiences and infrastructure, will make this a successful year for Nature Parks and our community.
Governance and Animal Ethics
Strong governance remains a priority. This month, the Board reviewed key risks, policies, and animal research ethics.
A special thanks to Dr Jenny Hibble, Chair of the Animal Ethics Committee, and all volunteer members for their incredible work. In 2025, the committee approved a number of new projects and oversaw six ongoing external projects, including the critical bush stone-curlew reintroduction program. Your dedication ensures positive animal welfare outcomes and helps us protect the unique wildlife of Phillip Island.
As we look ahead to another summer welcoming visitors from near and far, we would like to send a big thanks to the Bass Coast community for its continued support and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Together, we’re creating a future where nature and people thrive together.
