Bay camping project to wait

AUTHORITIES have agreed to put a planned upgrade of Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve’s camping facilities on hold until development of a masterplan for the site, following community pushback.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority released a camping uplift plan earlier this year, which included installation of all-season, disability-accessible camping, glamping accommodation, additional powered and unpowered campsites and other facilities.

Apollo Bay locals had opposed parts of the planned redevelopment, including the scale of new sites at current green space in the reserve’s north, traffic concerns and its impacts on user groups including sports clubs.

Residents said they would prefer the overall plan for the reserve be developed first to guard against unintended consequences impacting other uses of the important community asset.

GORCAPA will now press pause on the camping upgrades until after summer and will first deliver a masterplan for the whole reserve precinct.

“In response to feedback from the community and stakeholders, the Authority will complete a Masterplan process for the Reserve prior to progressing plans to uplift camping facilities as initially proposed,” the authority stated.

“Following a series of in-person and online engagement sessions and an online survey across May and June, the overwhelming community sentiment was to complete the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Masterplan before the camping upgrade, originally proposed for the second half of 2022 to support the busy summer camping season.

“The Authority will also review scope of the uplift plans in response to updated advice that has significantly increased the extent of works required to manage flood risk. It is also expected that future flood modelling may increase the severity of risk due to rising sea levels and climate change”.

GORCAPA will develop the masterplan during the coming months ahead of an expected release in February 2023.

It said its process would “investigate the appropriate use and safe development of the reserve, based on site constraints and community and stakeholder feedback”.