“Passionate” locals attend Kennett River upgrade workshops

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) has thanked the Kennett River community for its strong turnout to its Improvements to Tourism Infrastructure Scenarios Workshops.

Local community members attended three January workshops to provide feedback informing GORCAPA how best to spend $3.69 million in funding for new town infrastructure.

“More than fifty participants actively contributed to discussions,” the GORCAPA spokesperson said.

“Our community engagement focused on finding out more about what community liked and disliked about the previous work for the project and providing information about what the future plans for the project will include.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all who have provided feedback, completed a survey or reached out to connect with the project team.

“Feedback is being incorporated into the project’s design process, and insights gathered continue to influence the design and delivery of the project.”

“The Kennett River Precinct Plan feedback period is now closed, but GORCAPA will share an updated draft Precinct Plan for further community comment from mid-2024.

As the precinct plan stands, upgrades to the townscape include a new public toilet and a new/upgraded wastewater treatment plant.

GORCAPA will also assist in the delivery of carpark and road improvements works.

Upon completion, the upgrades will support the growing visitor economy improve accessibility.

“The Precinct Plan will take in most of the public land in Kennett River,” the project’s brief outlines.

“It will include the Kennett River Caravan Park, the Kafe Koala carpark stretching down to the river and a small section of the Great Ocean Road.

“The Precinct Plan will reduce overdevelopment in the town by sharing caravan park facilities with the public, including the public toilet and wastewater treatment plant.

“This will also alleviate the issue of these facilities being located in the flood plain and near the Kennett River.”

Kennett River’s infrastructure upgrades form part of the $500 million Geelong City Deal.

GORCAPA anticipates the completion of Kennett River’s Precinct Plan before 2025.