Community feedback opens for Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve draft Masterplan

THE Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has released a new masterplan for the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve.

The draft masterplan, which opened for community feedback this week, provides a framework for redeveloping established sporting and recreation facilities and campground, while improving cultural heritage protection, environmental outcomes and responding to local impacts of climate change.

The authority said its plan reflects community aspirations for the Reserve to be retained as a central hub within Apollo Bay.

Key features include:

• Improved community facilities such as a new pavilion and camp kitchen, repurposing of the Industrial Hall, a new playground and increased open space with shaded areas, public barbecue, picnic tables and pathways.

• Further improvements to existing sporting facilities including new football, netball, cricket and tennis clubrooms and changerooms

• A shift to a seasonal campground in the southern part of the Reserve to enable the grassed area to be used by the local community and visitors between May and August

• Continuous public access along the entire Barham River foreshore

• A general uplift to accommodation facilities such as a camp kitchen, toilet blocks, amenity facilities, roads and car parking.

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority chief executive officer Jodie Sizer said the goal is to “create an incredible precinct that the community is proud of, and tourists aspire to visit”.

“The Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve is much loved by the local community and visitors alike and the masterplan is an exciting opportunity to work hand in hand to revamp and revitalise this incredible coastal reserve.

“The Reserve is a central hub in Apollo Bay and important to the town’s culture, playing host to a number of sports, community events and visitor accommodation.

“In line with the vision of the draft Masterplan, we look forward to delivering improvements to the Reserve to provide fit for purpose sporting and community event spaces as well as high quality camping facilities that respect the site’s environmental and cultural values.”

The draft masterplan also commits the authority to review the reserve’s management model alongside Colac Otway Shire council.

State government departments have contributed just under $3 million to deliver projects identified in the masterplan.

Community feedback for the draftmMasterplan will involve an online survey, four in-person sessions held in Apollo Bay and an online information session.

For more information on the project and to have your say, head to haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au