Coastal and Marine Management Plan open for comment

THE Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) has released their draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2020-25 (CMMP) for community and stakeholder input.

Consultation sessions on the CMMP will be held from tomorrow (Friday, January 24).

The plan establishes an integrated and co-ordinated approach to protecting and managing coastal Crown land and the neighbouring marine environment between Point Impossible and Cumberland River over the next five years.

It has been developed in consultation with and is a direct response to conversations with Traditional Owners, key stakeholders and the community.

Nine community consultation sessions were held across Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea and Torquay throughout January and February 2019 to gain feedback on the initial Implementation Plan, in addition to community and stakeholder reference group meetings.

The community asked for a simple plan with achievable actions, clear timeframes and outcomes addressing the following priorities: protect the natural environment, increase education and awareness of Aboriginal, cultural and environmental values of the coast, address climate change, support sustainable visitation and maintain and improve infrastructure.

The new Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, is due to start this year, replacing GORCC and other land managers along the Great Ocean Road.GORCC says the CMMP lays the foundations for the next five years to allow critical business-as-usual operations and strategic actions to continue during a state of transition.

Feedback is open on the draft CMMP until February 23.

Consultation sessions will be held at:

• Friday, January 24, 10am-noon: Torquay Front Beach opposite Growlers between Anderson and Price streets
• February 15, 2-4pm: Elephant Walk, Torquay foreshore opposite Gilbert Street
• February 14, 10am-noon: Point Roadknight
• February 8, 2-4pm: Lorne foreshore next to SLSC carpark

To view the plan and provide feedback, head to gorcc.com.au.