Litter and pollution

Our report contains dedicated pollution indicators with a coastal focus and a synthesis of the latest microplastics research in Victoria.

We know that good air quality is essential for human health and our report also includes a dedicated coastal air quality indicator. It is believed to be the first instance of focused coastal air quality reporting in Australia.

Like other economies with a history of industrial activity, Victoria has waste, litter and pollution. Contaminated sites exist in coastal areas, including landfills and industrial facilities. Some sites need to be actively managed to reduce the risk to humans and the environment.

Port Phillip Bay

Coastal air quality surrounding Port Phillip Bay is generally of good quality. Focused research has been conducted near shipping terminals, using lower quality air monitoring sensors. They suggest evidence of fine particle pollution near Station Pier in Port Melbourne. Fine particles are also known as PM_2.5. PM_2.5 are very small particles usually found in smoke. They have a diameter of 2.5 micrometres (0.0025 mm) or smaller.

Gippsland Lakes

Large bushfires have occurred in coastal Victoria in recent years. Bushfire smoke has been measured at levels significantly more than health-based standards. Air quality surrounding the Gippsland Lakes was extensively monitored during the 2019-20 bushfires. The data shows the daily air-quality standard measured in PM_2.5 was frequently breached during the summer of 2019-20.