FAQs

Do you have a question about the Port Phillip EcoCentre? Check below to see if your question has been frequently asked and to uncover your answer!

The Port Phillip EcoCentre is a not-for-profit, community-managed, environment group, providing a base for affiliate groups involved in activities that promote biodiversity, environmental sustainability and community action. Our scientists, educators and volunteers use the outdoor world as our classroom to connect people with local nature. We educate, connect and inspire people to care for land, water, wildlife and community wellbeing. Visit our About Us page to learn more about who we are and what we do.

We’re excited that we’ve been succesful to recieve support from the City of Port Phillip and Victorian State Government to back the redevelopment of our new hub. You’ll find the latest informaiton on the redevelopment by visiting the ‘Our Future Hub‘ page.

We are currently located on the north-west corner of the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, 200m from corner of Acland & Barkly Streets:
55A Blessington St, St Kilda, VIC 3182

We will temporarily move to a new workspace during the contruction phase of the redevelopment, but we will keep you posted once this temporary space has been confirmed.

Please email info@ecocentre.com or call us on (03) 9534 0670 to confirm our current operation hours.

Prices are available on each individual excursion page and vary, depending upon the particular excursion.

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organisation and play a major role in ability to demonstrate regenerative environmental practices and help strengthen community connection to nature. To become a volunteer, you must first complete an induction.

Visit the Volunteer page to find out more and sign up to the next volunteer induction session!

Affiliation Fees run from July – June (pro-rata) at $20 per year plus $1 per member per year (+ GST).

With affiliation, your organisation will gain access to many EcoCentre resources and support services. Once your organisation has affiliate membership, you will have 48 hours of access to our meeting room and events space, per calendar hear (meetin froom hire rate for non-affiliated members is $66 per hour). You’ll also have access to our networking forums, social events, and professional development opportunities. Find out more by visiting Groups and Organisations membership – Affliate

The St Kilda breakwater and St Kilda pier are where you’ll find the colony of just 1,400 Little Penguins. For the most up-to-date information on how you can view the penguins, we recommend that you visit the Earthcare St Kilda website.

Our Corporate Volunteer Program and Team Building days allow you to fulfill your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility aspirations. We offer a range of corporate volunteering opportunities that contribute to healthy waterways and habitats for Melbourne’s unique biodiversity. Visit the Corporate Volunteering page to explore the different activities.

Yes! We are happy for you to use our venue space to host your program. Learn more about our venue space by visiting the Venue Hire page or get in touch to learn about our commercial rates for hosting your program at the EcoCentre.

You’re welcome to hire our venue for your kid’s party, but it has to be Zero Waste – we’re happy to help you with this! Check the Zero Waste Events page to find out more.

Yes, at a rate per the venue hire policy matrix. If you are a community environment group that meets more than once per year, you may wish to apply to become an Affiliate for free meeting room hire.

We love interns! We host about 20 per year, and will do our best to accomodate you. However, it depends on your learning goals and our project schedule during your target dates. Sometimes we also book out far in advance. If you are from an underrepresented community, consider applying for our Multicultural Bay Ambassador summer program advertised each November.

The EcoCentre community compost bay is now open again and accepting organic waste! We’re in particular need of shredded paper and cardboard (brown waste) to balance out the food scraps (green waste) that we’ve already received.

If you’re new to the world of composting and are unsure about whether you can compost something or not, we recommend that you visit CompostRevolution.com.au and ShareWaste.com for some helpful tips!

You’re welcome to harvest some fresh, organically grown leafy greens and herbs from our garden at a small cost of $5 for a brown bag. We usually have surplus of seedlings too (gold coin donation). There is a QR code just near the stall if you’d like gift us an online donation outside of EcoCentre hours.

The St Kilda Botanical Gardens is managed by the City of Port Phillip. Click here to learn more about the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.

The glass house is managed by the Friends of St Kilda Botanical Gardens group. Please get in contact with them if you are interested in purchasing plants from the glass house.

If you’ve found an animal that is in need of help, please contact Wildlife Victoria. Call them on (03) 8400 7300, or fill in their quick response form.

You are able to give us a gift by visiting GiveNow.com.au/EcoCentre or by heading to our donations page.

The EcoCentre acknowledges the Kulin Nations, including the Yalukit Willam clan of the Boon Wurrung language group, traditional custodians of the land on which we are located.

We pay respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other First Nations and Elder members of our multicultural community.