Revegetation program for Torquay foreshore

PREPARATION works for a large-scale revegetation program along the Torquay foreshore between Bells Street and Zeally Bay Road are under way.

Land managers will plant thousands of endemic species including grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and feature trees between August and October, as well as Australian native feature trees.

The Great Ocean Roads and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) said established non-native or weed species including Melaleuca and Cypress pines would eventually be thinned and removed, but not Norfolk Island Pines.

Land managers have concluded many large Cypress pines along Torquay’s foreshore have exceeded their life expectancy and will inevitably be condemned by arborists due to risk in coming years.

GORCAPA stated there were no tree removals are scheduled for this year, but thinning out and removal of select limbs on some trees was likely.

“The Esplanade is at the heart of what makes Torquay such a popular location to live and visit, and this project will provide an even more relaxing and enjoyable experience,” GORCAPA chief executive officer Jodie Sizer said.

“The increased habitat will also benefit the environment, and we look forward to expanding this work along the Torquay coastline in coming years.”

Layout of the planting is designed to ensure minimal impact on the Esplanade’s ocean views by predominantly planting between property borders and at the end of T-intersections.

The project was developed by GORCAPA’s predecessor, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, and forms part of the Draft Point Impossible to Jan Juc Masterplan 2020-2025.

The Surf Coast Shire secured funding for the project through the Victorian government’s COVIDSafe funding stream designed to activate outdoor areas, but two future “priority” planting programs scheduled for 2023 and 2024 between Spring Creek and Whites Beach remain subject to funding.