ON THE OUTER: Fishos car park plan leaves club’s future in doubt

TORQUAY Outrigger Canoe Club (TOCC) fears it is being forced out of its Fishermans Beach home after draft plans for an upgrade of the precinct’s car park had no room for their boat facilities.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) has released draft plans for its Fishos Carpark Upgrade, which it says aims to improve access, safety and the movement of pedestrians, vehicles and boat trailers in the car park and adjoining areas

The draft plans would pave the area near the Fishos boat ramp and formalise parking and traffic movement for up to 30 boat trailer spaces, with priority given to facilities for boating and fishing use.

TOCC secretary Brian Peckham said the club was worried the new designs would oust the club from Fishos, where it currently stored its vessels and used as an activity base.

“We understand that there’s going to be changes made in the area. At the moment it’s a bit of a dog’s breakfast down there,” Mr Peckham said.

“[GORCAPA] put out their two options for public comment, neither included provisions for our canoes.”

Mr Peckham said the present plan could force it to return to the “intolerable” situation of its early years, when it towed its canoes in from off site for paddle-outs.

“We’ve got a trailer that’s about 15 metres long; trying to get into that site now from the Esplanade would just be too hazardous,” he said.

Surfrider Foundation’s Surf Coast branch has also raised concerns about the reduction of parking at the Torquay hotspot.

“You’ve probably seen how popular the surf at Fishos is on days when all the other spots are big and blown out. We’ve counted 80 people surfing and the car park overflowing with surfers, ranging from parents with their kids up to pro surfers,” the foundation stated in a submission on the plans.

“GORCAPA say the plans have been drawn up after meeting with Fishermans Beach user groups but they haven’t consulted with Surfrider Foundation or other user groups like the boardriders clubs.”

The plan had attracted 251 online survey responses and more than 200 people attending drop-in information sessions across two weekends.

GORCAPA said it had consulted with leaseholders including Torquay Angling Club, Torquay Marine Rescue Service and Salty Dog café in its design process, and acknowledged its project was a challenging juggling act because of the precinct’s range of uses.

“We have had an incredible amount of feedback on the draft concepts for Fishos Carpark – one of the strongest responses we’ve had for a Torquay project,” chief executie officer Jodie Sizer said.

“The response reflects how much the community love and value Fishos and we look forward to drawing on this feedback for the next stage of the project.

“Fishos is Torquay’s only boat launching facility and a popular beach, and it’s not surprising the extensive in-person and online consultation has drawn diverse, and often conflicting, views.

“We thank everyone for their feedback and are committed to striking the right balance to ensure the best outcome for the community.”