Board of Management Update – May and June 2025
The Phillip Island Nature Parks Board met on 20 May and 24 June at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre on Phillip Island (Milawul) and on 31 July for a further online meeting.
Last month the Board also helped celebrate with the Nature Parks team as it acknowledged the staff who have reached significant service milestones and celebrated achievements of staff and volunteers through its annual excellence awards. The awards were part of an All Staff event held at the beautiful Berninneit and commenced with a moving smoking ceremony and cultural activity hosted by Rob Ogden and Jarrod West from the Nature Parks Reconciliation Advisory Committee. The Board expressed its thanks to Rob and Jarrod for welcoming the group to Country and congratulated the team on their fantastic efforts throughout the year.
Visitation
The Board noted the organisation’s financial position and strong visitation results throughout the financial year. With visitation continuing in a positive trend, with strong growth in visitation and revenue compared to the previous year, despite some service interruptions with the redevelopment of boardwalks and the Penguins Plus viewing stands.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The Board received an update on the organisation’s progress against its fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (Stretch) 2024-27. It was pleased with the Nature Parks continued leadership in promoting and supporting recognition and reconciliation within the community, particularly as a partner organisation in the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network. The Nature Parks had also entered into its first Service Level Agreement with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation for a self-determined works program at Swan Lake in 2025-26. This agreement is an exciting milestone and one which the Board hopes will expand into the future.
Governance and Risk Management
At each meeting, the Board reviews several key risks and organisation policies. Across May, June and July, the Board reviewed the organisation’s Code of Conduct and Gifts Benefits and Hospitality Procedure.
Planning for the future
Following strategic planning activities across the past 12 months, working with the Community and Environment Advisory Committee, Reconciliation Advisory Committee, key stakeholders and staff, the Board was very happy to approve the Nature Parks Draft Strategic Plan 2025-35 for public consultation. The draft plan captured the insights across six priority areas, which strongly represented the organisation’s ambitions for Phillip Island’s environment, wildlife, tourism, culture, and community across the next decade. The Board looked forward to the next steps, which included showcasing the plan to the local community and inviting its feedback. Community members can view the strategy and share their feedback until 14 August here.
At its June meeting, the Board reviewed and approved the organisation’s Annual Budget and Business Plan for the next financial year. Some of the key priorities for this financial year include:
- The Penguin Parade Boardwalk and Viewing Stands redevelopment continuation.
- Development of a new Summerland Peninsula Master Plan.
- Continuation of the Penguin Resilience Program focusing on habitat, health and food security of Phillip Island’s little penguins.
- Continuation of the Nature Parks threatened species program.
- Improvements to the visitor journey and experience throughout each site.
Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands
The Board was updated on progress of Stage 2 of the Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands Redevelopment project. Stage 2 encompassed the replacement of aged boardwalk behind the viewing stands and was on track for December 2025 completion. The Board was briefed on the review of lighting across the boardwalk network. Considering the safety, wildlife and experience imperatives associated with the lighting design, the Board approved investment in a bespoke lighting solution across the redevelopment project.
The Board also noted that Stage 3 boardwalk designs were currently under development and the concept for future viewing stands was also commencing.
The Nobbies
Following the recent closure of the Nobbies Centre due to identified structural issues, the Board took the opportunity to revisit prior discussions around the precinct’s short and long-term direction.
The Board reflected on Nobbies Centre’s history, noting the significant investment over many years to support the facility’s safe operations and considered options presented by Management for its future use. The Board endorsed the proposed action to pause further decisions on the current structure until community input had been sought through the Summerland Peninsula Master Plan.
The Board expressed the desire for any future investment into this facility to be well supported by the local community and the Summerland Peninsula Master Plan project was well timed in helping to seek this input.
Community members are invited to have their say via survey, email or by attending a drop-in session on Saturday 9 August at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre. For more information, please here.
