Scanning the road

THE Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has completed scanning all 243-kilometres of the Great Ocean Road to help provide data for the new Great Ocean Road authority.

The Great Ocean Road Action Plan, which includes the establishment of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), will come into effect on December 1.

GORCAPA has been formed to create a sustainable and organised approach to the management of public land.

Victoria’s Surveyor-General Craig Sandy has overseen the data-gathering project to help ensure GORCAPA is well informed.

DELWP used road and airborne mobile laser scanning, and aerial photography to create a three-dimensional database of the Great Ocean Road and its features, for 500 metres on either side.

A DELWP spokesperson said the data would help GORCAPA with planning decisions.

“It will provide the authority with up to date and detailed information about Crown land, foreshore boundaries, land use types and the location of assets,” they said.

“This ensures planning and management decisions will reflect accurately what’s happening on the ground and is a first for the region, including the potential for 3D road view models to show the impacts of proposed road projects and buildings for more accurate planning and community consultation.”