Revamped Skenes Creek caravan park open for business
Published on 19 December 2022
Skenes Creek Foreshore Caravan Park has reopened following an upgrade to facilities which will provide a significantly enhanced camping experience.
The redevelopment, which began in August this year, involved the installation of two new demountable buildings at the caravan park, located six kilometres east of Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road.
The new facilities include a new reception building, and a new toilet and amenities block with kitchen facilities, compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority commenced management of the caravan park on 1 December 2020. As part of this transition, the Authority undertook an independent safety audit of the park and its facilities, including the onsite kiosk.
The audit revealed several safety issues and hazards that required attention at the park, including the removal of the kiosk. As a result, the caravan park had been operating at a limited capacity since 2020.
The planning phase included consultation with the camping community and the Skenes Creek Residents Association to ensure the redevelopment included facilities and features that were most important to them, and serviced the diverse needs of all users.
The redevelopment received a Marine and Coastal Act 2018 consent, planning permit and cultural heritage permit, which collectively guided the management of the site’s unique environment, social and cultural values.
The use of demountable buildings demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to best practice coastal adaption management as they allow us to be responsive to future coastal hazard information.
The project, built by Geelong-based construction companies SCAADA Group and Formflow, was funded by the Victorian Government as part of the $18.197 million Great Ocean Road Visitor Experience Uplift grant to deliver improvements to the visitor experience along the iconic Great Ocean Road.
Quotes attributable to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority CEO, Jodie Sizer
“Like the Skenes Creek community and regular visitors to the area, we have been eagerly anticipating getting the much-loved Skene Creek Foreshore Caravan Park back open for business.”
“This project will deliver a vastly improved camping experience and amenity for the local community, and we are rapt to welcome everyone back in time for the peak summer season.”