The term “Gippsland Lakes Ocean Access” (GLOA) describes Gippsland Ports’ collective initiatives to maintain a reliable navigable passage for vessels between the Gippsland Lakes and Bass Strait through the Entrance at Lakes Entrance.

The Long Term Monitoring and Management Plan (LTMMP) is the central supporting document of Gippsland Ports’ 2023 application for a 10 year Permit under the Australian Government Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (Sea Dumping Act) for the unconfined ocean disposal of maintenance dredge material at Lakes Entrance.

The plan is prepared in accordance with guidelines provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Refer to this link for the current approved version of the LTMMP. 

The plan has been recently revised to reflect changes in operation from the annual dredging program using contract dredger, to year round ‘dredging as required’ using a GP operated dredger.