The Association of Bayside Municipalities (ABM) was founded in 1974 to address issues of common concern to bayside councils. Today the ABM represents the interests of the 10 councils with frontage to Port Phillip Bay on various coastal and marine issues.

ABM is formally recognised by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) as the key representative of local government in relation to the sustainable management and health of Port Phillip Bay. The ABM is supported by a part-time Executive Officer currently located at the MAV.

Although the ABM is a local government association, a number of state government agencies and other organisations are represented on the ABM in an observer capacity, including, the Central Coastal Board (CCB), Department of  Sustainability and  Environment (DSE), Environment Protection Authority of Victoria (EPA) and Parks Victoria.

Role and Function

The role of the ABM is to identify, resolve and advise on matters of common interest to the bayside councils to improve the overall management of the Port Phillip Bay environment. The value of the Association is that it can approach matters on a regional basis and the ABM actively represents its members through a range of political, community and media outlets.

The ABM provides a forum:

• for the exchange of information, innovation and best practice in coastal management;
• to effectively represent and advocate the collective views of member councils;
• for purposeful networking and exchange between member councils and other agencies; and
• to provide leadership in advocacy and coastal policy.

Port Phillip Bay

Port Phillip Bay is one the world’s largest marine embayments, covering 1,950 square kilometres, and over 260 kilometres of coastline. Over three million people live around its shore, making Port Phillip Bay Australia's most densely populated catchment.

Port Phillip Bay is the entrance to Australia’s busiest commercial port and is one of Victoria’s most popular recreational destinations. Visitors are drawn to the bay for such activities as swimming, cycling, boating and fishing.

A variety of ecosystems exist in the bay, from sea grass beds to rocky reefs. Scuba diving reveals the diverse and colourful marine life of the bay.

Significant threats to the health of Port Phillip Bay are from nutrients entering the bay and the impacts of marine pests.