Fishos carpark design unveiled

FISHERMANS Beach is due for a revamp of its car park, boat facilities and beach access, with new designs open for feedback.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is planning the upgrade following consultation with user groups earlier this year.

The subject area adjoins the Torquay Marine Rescue Service, Torquay Angling Club and Salty Dog Café, with the Authority’s plan aiming to improve access, safety and the movement of pedestrians, vehicles and boat trailers in the car park.

GORCAPA’s stakeholder discussions informed the plan’s design criteria, which included:

• Improve the existing accessibility, circulation and movement of all users (pedestrian, vehicular, boat trailer) in the existing car park and adjoining areas
• Maintain current capacity of the carpark if possible
• Reduce risk associated with operational and user safety, for example, separating café customers, dog walkers, Surf Coast Walk users, and boat launching and retrieval
• Improve environmental outcomes through water sensitive urban design, drainage upgrades and installation of pollutant traps
• Seal the car park and provide at least one beach access point that complies with disability legislation.

“Fishermans Beach is heavily used and valued by so many locals and visitors all year-round, and the release of the proposed upgrade design is an opportunity to help improve the facility,” GORCAPA CEO Jodie Sizer said.

New plans follow a draft master plan from GORCAPA’s predecessor, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, for foreshore area between Point Impossible and Jan Juc that was informed through consultation across 2019 and 2020.

The Authority will host a drop-in information session on Saturday (October 8) from 9am to 11am at Fishos, following a similar session on Sunday.

An online survey is also open on GORCAPA’s website until October 21.