Enough space: Authorities say they can handle caravan park’s overflow cars

THE management of the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park may have changed but its vehicle restrictions will remain the same over summer, despite a potential parking squeeze on nearby streets.

The caravan park on Crown land backs onto Torquay’s surf beach and was previously run by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), but that organisation was absorbed into the new Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA).

According to the caravan park’s rules, originally adopted by GORCC in May 2015, permit holders can bring two vehicles onto their site – one car, and one caravan, trailer, boat or watercraft.

“All vehicles must be parked within the boundaries of the site to which they are registered,” the policy states. “Vehicles which cannot fit within the permit site boundary are required to be removed from the park.

“An additional vehicle, including a car, may be permitted to enter the park, subject to prior approval by the manager.

An additional vehicle charge applies if access is approved. Each vehicle must be registered with the park office prior to entering the park.”

Because of the one car per site rule, there are anecdotal reports each summer of caravan park users parking their second car for long periods of time on surrounding streets, including Bell Street.

This forces Torquay residents and the thousands of visitors heading to the beach each day to park even further away.

Last week, a GORCAPA spokesperson said the parking policy remained the same, “and is in place to ensure safe access and egress for all of our guests, especially in the situation of an urgent evacuation”.

“We are not responsible for street parking and do not endorse our guests parking illegally in these areas.

“We support the Surf Coast Shire in enforcing parking rules throughout their jurisdiction, including Bell Street.”

Surf Coast Shire general manager of planning and environment Ransce Salan said on Tuesday this week that overflow parking from the caravan park “has not presented major problems in the past”.

“We would not anticipate any this summer, but council will continue to monitor conditions.

“Key car parks in Torquay’s commercial areas have time limits, and council rangers will be working in increased numbers across the peak holiday period to ensure people are complying with regulations.”

Mr Salan said the shire anticipated the introduction of its free summer shuttle bus service – the Surf Coaster – between Jan Juc and Torquay would help ease some parking pressure in central Torquay.

“The service operates daily from 10am to 6pm on a continuous loop with 13 stops, connecting to beaches and dining and shopping precincts,” he said.

“The carbon-neutral Surf Coaster is one of many initiatives making up council’s COVID-19 Recovery Program, and responds to local demand for a convenient, safe and effective transport loop during the busy summer period.”