Consultation on Shipwreck Coast projects closes soon

TIME is running out for local residents, businesses and community groups to have their say on the design of three projects on the Shipwreck Coast.

A feedback survey about the three projects – The Blowhole Lookout at the Loch Ard Precinct, The Saddle Lookout at the Twelve Apostles, and the Port Campbell Creek Pedestrian Bridge – closes tomorrow (Friday, June 22), with a summary of survey results to be made available to the public in mid-July.

The delivery of these projects has been funded by the Victorian Government as part of stage one of the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, which aims to protect, enhance and celebrate one of Victoria’s most visited nature-based tourist experiences. Parks Victoria chief operating officer Simon Talbot said the projects would enhance the liveability of local communities, the visitor experience and contribute towards ensuring Victoria’s parks are healthy and resilient, conserving them for current and future generations.

“Shipwreck Coast is a distinct, cultural and remarkable world-class destination. Parks Victoria is committed to delivering works on the ground across Victoria’s park network to protect and enhance park values. We manage parks in the context of their surrounding landscape and in partnership with Traditional Owners.

“In conjunction with stakeholder and community engagement, Parks Victoria has undertaken various assessments on the Shipwreck Coast site including landscape site appraisal and analysis, feature surveys, track locations and preliminary geotechnical investigations, environmental and cultural heritage assessments. These assessments have influenced the design and specific locations of the sites.

The Shipwreck Coast encompasses 28km of coastline in Victoria’s south-west with more than five million visitors to the area each year. The Twelve Apostles attract up to 11,000 visitors a day, with more than 2.1 million visits expected in 2018.

To fill out the survey, head to engage.vic.gov.au/shipwreck-coast-master-plan.