Skenes Creek campground to reopen

A CARAVAN park in Skenes Creek is reopening in a limited fashion after its closure more than a year ago, but the town’s community association is disappointed with the park’s management over the past 12 months.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) took over the previously privately-managed Skenes Creek Foreshore Caravan Park on December 1, 2020.

In a statement, the Skenes Creek Advancement Association said the park was previously a successful and vibrant community campground, cafe and shop used by locals, regular campers and tourists, but “the whole campground has now been closed, derelict and neglected for months”.

The association says the Skenes Creek community was keen to work with GORCAPA to “reinstate the campground back to a thriving year-round community hub and to have clarity around the campground’s future”.
“We have requested a meeting with GORCAPA to discuss our concerns and to establish a working relationship as clearly there is none at present.

“GORCAPA has claimed it could produce a much better result for taxpayers, campers and the community than the former operator but quite the opposite has been the case so far.

“At present the Skenes Creek community has no confidence in GORCAPA’s community transparency.”

A GORCAPA spokesperson said the authority undertook an independent safety audit of the seasonal park and its facilities, including the onsite kiosk, when it took over management.

“The audit revealed a number of safety issues and hazards that required attention at the park, including the removal of the kiosk. This audit, and subsequent inspections have provided the Authority with a clear understanding of the onsite works required.

“We will continue to work with the Skenes Creek Advancement Association and Colac Otway Shire as we deliver works at the park and will also engage with the local community and campers to ensure we deliver an outcome that is supported by all user groups of the site.”

The park is due to reopen on Wednesday. December 8, subject to grounds and maintenance works.

“Given that we have not been able to deliver the planned upgrades discussed with campers last year and we will not have a reception kiosk for the 2020/21 summer period, we are giving campers the option of moving their booking for this Christmas period to one of the Authority’s other seven caravan parks along the Great Ocean Road,” the GORCAPA spokesperson said.

“Campers who wish to retain their booking at Skenes Creek can do so, with the understanding that not all facilities will be available.”

The spokesperson said GORCAPA was planning to redevelop onsite facilities and improve the overall camping experience but works so far had identified erosion, cultural heritage, flooding and bushfire considerations, which had delayed progress.

“The authority has recently secured funding for the redevelopment of the park and plans to consult with the local community, community groups and campers in early 2022 in order to deliver an outcome that is supported by all user groups of the site.”