Authority releases annual report

THE Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is celebrating a year of achievements, collaborative endeavours, and reaching key milestones in its 2022-23 Annual Report.

Released last month, the report outlines the efforts undertaken by the authority to care for, protect, and manage the coast and parks traversed along the Great Ocean Road.

The report notes that by November 1, 2025, when the transfer of land to GORCAPA is complete, the authority will be responsible for managing 150,000 hectares of parks and coastal reserves along the Great Ocean Road including 355km of coastline from Point Impossible to Warrnambool, several National Parks, coastal town foreshores, high visitation sites such as the Cape Otway Lightstation and the Twelve Apostles, and marine land to the edge of Victorian waters.

According to the “Year in Review Snapshot”, GORCAPA recorded (among many other statistics) more than 3,800 participants at its environmental education sessions or events, 6,445 hours achieving actions in its Coastal Vegetation Strategy, 787,270 visitor nights in its caravan parks and $21.2 million in caravan park revenue, 13,000 toilet blocks cleaned, 71 formal requests for advice received, and 675 Facebook likes.

In her foreword to the report, GORCAPA board chair Libby Mears wrote the authority was “moving forward with a clear sense of purpose and clarity of the challenges and opportunities” on the Great Ocean Road.

“Increasing visitor numbers and a changing climate are affecting our coastal environment, its flora and fauna as well as the operation of the road.

“If we are to achieve our vision for the Great Ocean Road region to be thriving as one integrated, living entity, we need to think differently. We need to challenge paradigms and drive transformative change.

“This year we’ve commenced the development of our first Five Year Business Strategy, which will continue to transition our organisation from its formative years into a progressive, evidence-based coast and parks manager committed to doing the right thing, not the easy or popular thing.

“To deliver on our obligations and aspirations we need to ensure a sustainable business model while remaining true to our quadruple bottom line approach of recognising the importance of the environment, community and culture, alongside financial performance.”

GORCAPA chief executive officer Jodie Sizer welcomed the release of the annual report.

“We’re reflecting on an incredible 12 months with the release of our 2022-23 Annual Report,” she said.

“Our report highlights the important body of work we’ve delivered to care for, protect and manage the coast and parks traversed by the Great Ocean Road.

“This is both a responsibility and a privilege we share with our communities, stakeholders, and Rights Holders.”

To read the annual report, head to greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/About-the-Authority/Our-Publications/Annual-Report-2022-23