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Queensferry. Photo: The Powell Family, 2025
By Neil Daly
IN Clear as mud, I asked AI whether after 25 years of mangrove trial and error planting projects along the eastern arm of Western Port’s foreshore, a mangrove audit should be undertaken.
AI replied: “The available reporting shows repeated project failures, inconsistent methods, fragmented governance, and no comprehensive evaluation of outcomes – all classic indicators that an audit is overdue.”
It seemed wise to seek a “second opinion, so I sent a copy of the article to the key stakeholders and asked for their response.
IN Clear as mud, I asked AI whether after 25 years of mangrove trial and error planting projects along the eastern arm of Western Port’s foreshore, a mangrove audit should be undertaken.
AI replied: “The available reporting shows repeated project failures, inconsistent methods, fragmented governance, and no comprehensive evaluation of outcomes – all classic indicators that an audit is overdue.”
It seemed wise to seek a “second opinion, so I sent a copy of the article to the key stakeholders and asked for their response.
PROJECT LEADERS
Dr Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, RMIT University, Senior Lecturer, Trevathan Lab, Centre for Nature Positive Solutions
“I think a review of the state of mangrove health and restoration activity in Western Port is a timely idea.
"In my learnings in the last few years, each area of the coastline responds differently to different restoration actions. Putting everyone’s learning and observation from the last few decades with the idea that the collective information will help progress next steps for mangrove restoration in Western Port will be both practical and inspiring.”
Dr Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, RMIT University, Senior Lecturer, Trevathan Lab, Centre for Nature Positive Solutions
“I think a review of the state of mangrove health and restoration activity in Western Port is a timely idea.
"In my learnings in the last few years, each area of the coastline responds differently to different restoration actions. Putting everyone’s learning and observation from the last few decades with the idea that the collective information will help progress next steps for mangrove restoration in Western Port will be both practical and inspiring.”
Ian Stevenson, Chair, Western Port Seagrass Partnership
“Of major consideration is current land use along the eastern arm of Western Port. This requires detailed multi-factor planning as the prime example. Finances to rigorously plan then implement long-term land use gain in biodiversity objectives are most strongly advocated. No creative strategic plan currently exists to reach these goals. A multi-disciplinary plan is required immediately.
"The accumulated knowledge on mangrove restoration, forms only one aspect of this ambitious macro-objective. For example, the historic low costs of numerous experimental attempts to re-establish mangroves continues with strong peer review, and this is advancing. It also negates huge costs for large ecologically insensitive engineering solutions such as sea walls.
“Of major consideration is current land use along the eastern arm of Western Port. This requires detailed multi-factor planning as the prime example. Finances to rigorously plan then implement long-term land use gain in biodiversity objectives are most strongly advocated. No creative strategic plan currently exists to reach these goals. A multi-disciplinary plan is required immediately.
"The accumulated knowledge on mangrove restoration, forms only one aspect of this ambitious macro-objective. For example, the historic low costs of numerous experimental attempts to re-establish mangroves continues with strong peer review, and this is advancing. It also negates huge costs for large ecologically insensitive engineering solutions such as sea walls.
Clear as mud
At last – Neil Daly finds an ally in his quest for an audit of mangrove projects in Western Port.
At last – Neil Daly finds an ally in his quest for an audit of mangrove projects in Western Port.
Measure of success
May 7, 2025 - Neil Daly presses the case for an audit of our efforts to grow mangroves in the eastern arm of Western Port.
May 7, 2025 - Neil Daly presses the case for an audit of our efforts to grow mangroves in the eastern arm of Western Port.
"The allocation of funds for broader strategic long-term purposes is considered a better financial and effective option to just an audit of historic mangrove trial costs.
Dave Bateman, Executive General Manager, Bass Coast Landcare Network
“All of our BCLN projects including mangroves require reporting / audits to our funders which BCLN complies with. We are open to an Audit or Study to look at the success and failures of mangrove projects, however it’s up to our funders in regard to realising reporting information for the mangrove projects. Our main funders are Western Port Biosphere and Melbourne Water.”
Dr Rebecca Morris, University of Melbourne, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, ARC Industry Fellow, Lead – Coastal and Estuarine Adaption Lab
“I agree that there is a need for a review of the projects, although I’m not sure that 'audit' is the right terminology. An audit could be interpreted as simply assessing whether individual projects were delivered successfully or met their stated objectives. I think there is an opportunity to go further and undertake a cross-project synthesis and process-based evaluation to understand why some projects have been successful and others less so.
"This would allow us to identify common factors influencing outcomes across projects, including project design, implementation, governance, monitoring, environmental context and other enabling or constraining factors, and use these lessons to inform future investment and project development.”
Mel Barker, CEO, Western Port Biosphere Foundation
“In relation to mangroves and blue carbon, we support building a stronger evidence base. Blue carbon ecosystems are an important nature-based solution that can help protect coastlines and build resilience to climate change. Understanding where these approaches work - and where they do not - is equally important. Good science needs to guide where investment and restoration efforts are most effective.
"A detailed assessment of mangrove restoration could be valuable, but the key question is how it contributes to a broader strategic understanding of Western Port and informs practical action. The most important outcome is ensuring we have the right information to guide investment and management decisions.”.
POLITICAL PARTIES
OTHER COMMENTS
Professor Peter I. Macreadie, RMIT University, Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow, Director - Centre for Nature Positive Solutions
“Environmental restoration should have clear objectives, monitoring and transparent reporting. Mangrove restoration is difficult and expensive, and past results have been mixed. We need to learn from that evidence and improve the methods, not stop trying. The form of any broader review of Western Port projects should be determined by the relevant funders, land managers and project proponents.”
Professor David M. Kennedy, The University of Melbourne, Professor in Physical Geography, Coastal Geomorphologist
“For the Western Port Mangroves, I worry that consideration of geomorphology is ignored. Mangroves love areas that are accreting and are muddy, they won’t grow in areas that are natural eroding. Of course, at the same time rising sea levels mean the ideal zone for mangroves (just considering tidal range) is moving inland.
"I’d like to see an assessment of current mangrove status that includes historical change, with geomorphology. We can have success, but we need to target areas where mangroves want to be, rather than areas where humans would prefer them to be.”
It has taken over 25 years to reach this point and now it will be interrupted by a state election. However, this should not deter the move to assess the mangrove situation and for the next state government within the first 100 days of office, to commission an "audit".
The next State Government should take note - it’s time to measure up.
Dave Bateman, Executive General Manager, Bass Coast Landcare Network
“All of our BCLN projects including mangroves require reporting / audits to our funders which BCLN complies with. We are open to an Audit or Study to look at the success and failures of mangrove projects, however it’s up to our funders in regard to realising reporting information for the mangrove projects. Our main funders are Western Port Biosphere and Melbourne Water.”
Dr Rebecca Morris, University of Melbourne, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, ARC Industry Fellow, Lead – Coastal and Estuarine Adaption Lab
“I agree that there is a need for a review of the projects, although I’m not sure that 'audit' is the right terminology. An audit could be interpreted as simply assessing whether individual projects were delivered successfully or met their stated objectives. I think there is an opportunity to go further and undertake a cross-project synthesis and process-based evaluation to understand why some projects have been successful and others less so.
"This would allow us to identify common factors influencing outcomes across projects, including project design, implementation, governance, monitoring, environmental context and other enabling or constraining factors, and use these lessons to inform future investment and project development.”
Mel Barker, CEO, Western Port Biosphere Foundation
“In relation to mangroves and blue carbon, we support building a stronger evidence base. Blue carbon ecosystems are an important nature-based solution that can help protect coastlines and build resilience to climate change. Understanding where these approaches work - and where they do not - is equally important. Good science needs to guide where investment and restoration efforts are most effective.
"A detailed assessment of mangrove restoration could be valuable, but the key question is how it contributes to a broader strategic understanding of Western Port and informs practical action. The most important outcome is ensuring we have the right information to guide investment and management decisions.”.
POLITICAL PARTIES
- Despite “a new direction for policy matters”, the Carroll Labor Government has not responded to my call for an audit.
- The Coalition, perhaps waiting to see if it wins government, said, “The issues you have raised regarding the ongoing expenditure on mangrove restoration projects and the call for an independent audit are important considerations.”
- The Victorian Greens, from the outset, have supported the commissioning of a mangrove audit.
- One Nation - Victoria. Despite attempts to contact them, there has been no response. Given their political rise and potential balance of power in the next elected Victorian State Government, hopefully, they will take an interest in the matter.
OTHER COMMENTS
Professor Peter I. Macreadie, RMIT University, Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow, Director - Centre for Nature Positive Solutions
“Environmental restoration should have clear objectives, monitoring and transparent reporting. Mangrove restoration is difficult and expensive, and past results have been mixed. We need to learn from that evidence and improve the methods, not stop trying. The form of any broader review of Western Port projects should be determined by the relevant funders, land managers and project proponents.”
Professor David M. Kennedy, The University of Melbourne, Professor in Physical Geography, Coastal Geomorphologist
“For the Western Port Mangroves, I worry that consideration of geomorphology is ignored. Mangroves love areas that are accreting and are muddy, they won’t grow in areas that are natural eroding. Of course, at the same time rising sea levels mean the ideal zone for mangroves (just considering tidal range) is moving inland.
"I’d like to see an assessment of current mangrove status that includes historical change, with geomorphology. We can have success, but we need to target areas where mangroves want to be, rather than areas where humans would prefer them to be.”
It has taken over 25 years to reach this point and now it will be interrupted by a state election. However, this should not deter the move to assess the mangrove situation and for the next state government within the first 100 days of office, to commission an "audit".
The next State Government should take note - it’s time to measure up.
Comments are closed.
Given that terminology can be important, I think Rebecca's use of 'cross project synthesis' and 'process-based evaluation', or something similar might be more accurate and less scary than 'audit'. Some people might be a little more receptive ...
I hope the next state government can handle the word “audit”, for when speaking about environmental restoration, the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists said, “When it comes to environmental accounting we are still in the dark ages. If we are to have any hope of managing the great environmental challenges of the 21st century, we are going to have to apply the same discipline to environmental management that we apply to managing our economy. We need to build a system of national environmental accounts. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”
Rebecca Morris's framing is worth holding on to. A cross-project synthesis and process-based evaluation is precisely what the situation calls for, because it moves the exercise from a backwards-looking compliance check into a forward-looking evidence base. That reframing gives any incoming government a constructive way to say yes.
The political scorecard from your article is instructive. The Greens on the record, the Coalition acknowledging the issue, Labor silent. With a state election in view, that is not the end of the road, it is the beginning of a public question every candidate in the eastern arm seats can be asked to answer. Will you commit, within the first 100 days, to a cross-project synthesis of mangrove restoration in Western Port? An audit by any other name.
Your persistence has brought this to a point where the question can no longer be politely deflected. Thank you for keeping at it.
Thankyou for your persistence in the area of Mangrove restoration along the eastern arm of Western Port.
It makes a lot of sense for all parties involved to come to the table and compare notes on what methods have worked and what hasn’t.
An overall Audit before moving on.
I noticed the Western Port Seagrass Partnership have secured Coastcare funding for
“Cost-effective wave protection
to facilitate the re-establishment of mangroves”
This project will test two new, cost-effective methods to protect newly planted mangroves from wave action.
A decade of planting mangrove seeds and seedlings to restore mangroves along the coast of Grantville and Lang Lang has shown that high wave energy during winter is the major source
of mangrove mortality.