Authority to defer Apollo Bay Rec Reserve upgrade plans
Published on 17 August 2022
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will defer plans to uplift camping facilities at Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve until the completion of a Masterplan in response to feedback from thecommunity and stakeholders.
In a series of in-person and on-line engagement sessions and an on-line survey across May and June this year, the overwhelming community sentiment was to complete the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Masterplan before the camping upgrade, originally proposed to start in the second half of 2022.
The Authority has listened to the community and our first priority will be the Masterplan, a 10-year vision for the precinct including the camping ground and sports and recreational facilities. The Masterplan will guide the delivery of the camping uplift project, which remains fully funded.
The Authority will also review scope of the uplift plans in response to updated advice that has significantly increased the extent of works required to manage flood risk. It is also expected that future flood modelling may increase the severity of risk due to rising sea levels and climate change.
The next stage of the Masterplan process will be the development of an issues and opportunities paper.
This will further investigate the appropriate use and safe development of the reserve, based on site constraints and community and stakeholder feedback.
The Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve including camping and recreation uses will continue to operate as usual while the Masterplan is being developed.
The Authority has this week provided stakeholders and the community a summary of the feedback received, which will inform the development of the Masterplan. The summary can be seen here:
www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Projects/Camping-Uplift-for-the-Great-Ocean-Road-Region-Apollo-Bay
Quotes attributable to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority CEO Jodie Sizer
“We have listened to the community and the overwhelming consensus was to complete the Masterplan first, which will guide the delivery of the camping uplift.
“We are continuing with our 10-year Masterplan for the reserve and will ensure that everyone with an interest in this popular coastal location will have an opportunity to provide input.”