Feedback sought on Great Ocean Road Action Plan

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is looking to shape their Great Ocean Road Action Plan through a series of presentations and drop-in sessions that will be held in various towns along the road.

The plan is timely as there has been much discussion about the road lacking funding for its maintenance.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said in her foreword to DELWP’s plan that the road needed urgent help.

“Right now, the road is at a critical juncture.

“Like many international tourist destinations, the Great Ocean Road is challenged by increasing numbers of visitors, forces of nature – and the impacts of climate change.”

The 12 Apostles alone receive up to 12,000 visitors on certain days.

Man-made climate change and erosion also present problems, with cliffs eroding at a rate of approximately 2cm per year.

One of the short-term actions the plan includes is the establishment of a Great Ocean Road and Parks Authority.

This authority will have an independent board that will deal with a variety of challenges the road faces.

The plan states that the board should have a diverse range of skills, but it is still unclear how much power they will have.

The first of DELWP’s consultations will be held at St Luke’s Anglican Hall in Torquay tomorrow (Friday November 8) at 10am

Saturday will then see sessions at Lorne and Aireys Inlet, with a Wednesday session also held at Anglesea.

Ten sessions in total will be held along the Great Ocean Road.

An online survey is also open at engage.vic.gov.au/great-ocean-road.