ON THE HOOK: New Fishos plan finds improved public support

FISHERMANS Beach car park is set to become a construction site mid-next year as plans progress for an upgrade at the popular Torquay spot.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) has released its engagement report for its planned Fishos revamp, which found overall support from local residents for concepts.

The authority has indicated it will now progress to detailed design and costing, user testing and permit applications with an eye to starting construction in 2024.

Fishos’ overflow car park would be sealed and have line markings to improve safety, with most parking spots provided for boat trailers.

Pedestrian links to the beach and The Esplanade would also be upgraded for all-abilities access, including a permanent timber walkway in place of a beach access ramp.

Designs also retain through access from the Salty Dog Café area to the boat ramp car park and provision for users including kayakers, outrigger canoers and bike parking.

GORCAPA presented the revised design in May this year, in response to feedback on its first draft in September 2022.

The “have your say” page received 102 formal submissions – more than 80 per cent of which were Torquay and Jan Juc residents – and a further 100 attended face-to-face sessions.

Its consultation found 58 per cent were in favour of the design, 25 per cent neutral and 17 per cent opposed.

Those numbers are an improvement on feedback to last year’s designs, which found responders were split on whether the overflow car park should be reserved for boat trailers during peak periods, and whether earlier designs would improve accessibility.

Removal of Torquay Outrigger Canoe Club’s vessel storage area and reduction in car parking due to boat trailer provision were among the key issues raised last year.

GORCAPA said its latest consultation highlighted that residents favoured separation of two car parks, angled long-bay parking near the boat ramp and inclusion of DDA-compliant pedestrian links.

Areas for improvement included a boat preparation area within the car park, striking a balance between car and boat trailer use, and environmental considerations like managing sand drift and whether the car park needs to be sealed.

The authority indicated it would take feedback on board in its further design steps.

“Balancing user demands and providing clear direction for users will be a key feature of the project going forward,” it stated.

“The next project stage entails a detailed design process, finalising construction details, user testing, obtaining detailed costings, and seeking necessary permits. Once the detailed designs are finalised, they will be presented to the community.

“We anticipate construction to commence by the middle of next year.”

More information about the project, including full designs and the engagement summary, is available at GORCAPA’s website.