The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is calling for feedback on the development of a masterplan to finalise the route of the new Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail.
Opening consultation, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio said the Trail was expected to cover about 90 kilometres of Great Ocean Road landscape from Fairhaven to Skenes Creek.
“The trail will connect the Surf Coast and Great Ocean walks and is expected to include several suspension bridges providing new views and experiences – boosting eco-tourism and supporting the economies of local communities,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The Masterplan will also finalise the location of infrastructure including camping sites, lookouts, boardwalks, bridges, river crossings, carparks and day visitor areas,” she said.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the proposed trail ran through Eastern Maar Country and DELWP would consult with Traditional Owners, the Eastern Maar Peoples, to ensure the plan respected and promoted the rich cultural heritage of the area.
The Minister said consultation was open until 8 November, with construction of the Trail expected to begin in 2023.
In a statement, DELWP said due to the length of the proposed walk, it was seeking feedback on eight sections: Fairhaven to Spout Creek; Spout Creek to Lily Pond Bushland Reserve (Lorne); Lily Pond Bushland Reserve to Cumberland River; Cumberland River to Jamieson Creek; Jamieson Creek to Wye River; Wye River to Kennett River; Kennett River to Grey River; and Grey River to Skenes Creek.
“Your feedback is welcome on as many or as few of these trail sections as you wish,” DELWP said.
“There are 20-30 questions for each section of Trail,” it said.
“To avoid ‘questionnaire fatigue’, start with your favourite section and go from there.”
DELWP said people could return to its feedback website at any time over the consultation period.
Further information on how to contribute to the Masterplan can be accessed at this PS News link.
