Henderson wants Great Ocean Road Authority up and running

CORANGAMITE Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson has urged the state Labor government to establish the Great Ocean Road Authority as soon as possible to fast-track works to prevent erosion in places such as Apollo Bay and Marengo.

The creation of the authority is one of the key recommendations handed down by the Great Ocean Road Taskforce last year, and would see a single organisation with an independent board assume responsibility over all of the coastal land covered by the road to protect the area and its environment.

The Great Ocean Road Action Plan notes the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority should be established in the “short term”, but it is not yet active.

Ms Henderson claimed the erosion at Apollo Bay and Marengo was “an example of Labor’s mismanagement of our coastline”.

“There have been a myriad of environmental reports over many years which have identified that urgent action is required and yet Labor has delivered only a band-aid solution.

“Replenishing sand is simply not good enough.

“The Victorian government must invest significantly in permanent infrastructure to address the erosion such as seawalls and groynes.

“Over a number of years, the state Labor government has not taken coastal erosion, for which it is responsible, seriously.

“With so many state agencies currently responsible for the Great Ocean Road and the coastline, the Great Ocean Road Authority is desperately required so that a proper management plan, including to combat rising sea levels, can be implemented.”

She said her government’s $154 million City Deal included $12 million for the Apollo Bay Harbour upgrade and $5 million for the Skenes Creek to Wild Dog Creek coastal walk.

“The Skenes Creek coastal walk is incredibly important infrastructure for the local community and tourism economy.

“This is a coastal path to somewhere very special and the Victorian government must urgently rebuild the section of path which was lost in the June 2018 storms.

“I am also concerned that state Labor has still not detailed how its City Deal money will be spent, despite promising it would do so immediately after the state election.”