Surf Coast embarks on $30 million land transfer to GORCAPA

THE Surf Coast Shire is starting the process of handing over $30 million in land assets to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA).

Of the total 931 coastal reserves and parcels to be transferred along the Great Ocean Road, approximately 55 of those parcels (containing $31.26 million in assets) are located in Surf Coast Shire.

To facilitate the transition process, council’s Draft 2022/23 budget contains provision for an 18-month ‘Open Space Planner’ at cost of $121,687.

A report to council states that the land transfer process is still in its early stages, however two pilot ‘simple least complex’ parcels of land have now been identified in order to test the transfer process in May this year.

These land parcels include parts of the Aireys Inlet Reserve and Lorne Stoney Creek Reserve.

The report to council proposes a two-year timeline for the transfer of land process, however notes that “preliminary insights demonstrate that this process is not as straightforward as it might seem with varying levels of complexity that will take time to work through”.

“Public and community communication is also very important given the high level of community interest in the Authority and specific land parcels, and must be well planned,” the reported stated.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will also play a large role in the process, as to are the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, in order to “foster resilience of the natural, cultural and heritage values of coastal Crown land and marine waters along the Great Ocean Road”.