The Portsea Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment transforms a highly exposed coastal dune system within Mornington Peninsula National Park. Memla Landscape Architects led the landscape restoration strategy, balancing bushfire compliance, dune stabilisation and ecological rehabilitation. The site, characterised by steep, erosion-prone slopes and Coast Dune Scrub vegetation, required careful intervention to maintain stability while upgrading the club facilities.  

The design retained key indigenous vegetation to protect fragile dune systems, while removing invasive species such as Boxthorn and Mirror Bush. Revegetation focused on low-growing, coastal species, including Karkalla and Bower Spinach, selected for their ability to stabilise sand and meet defendable space requirements. Planting was undertaken at high densities to rapidly establish groundcover and minimise erosion.  

A detailed bushfire strategy informed vegetation setbacks and management, ensuring the new facility achieved required safety standards within a Bushfire Management Overlay.   The project also incorporated erosion control measures, including jute matting and staged planting, to support long-term landscape performance.  

The result is a resilient coastal landscape that integrates infrastructure with its sensitive environment, restoring ecological function while enhancing the safety and longevity of this iconic surf life saving site.