Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail masterplan revealed
A $23m plan to build a coastal walking trail, expected to attract 75,000 people annually, has been revealed.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A $23m plan to build a walking trail from Fairhaven to Skenes Creek has been revealed.
The draft Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail masterplan was released by the state government earlier this week.
According to the plans, the bulk of the trail would follow the coastline from Fairhaven through Lorne, Wye River and Kennett River through to Skenes Creek.
The trail is divided into seven segments, each between 9-15km in length.
It made use of existing picnic and viewing areas, and three new lookouts could be built between Lorne and Cumberland River.
A hiker campground was proposed between Grey River and Skenes Creek – the only section of the track that is yet to be funded.
The final leg of the trail is still under investigation.
A follow up to the project’s 2019 feasibility study revealed the trail would attract 75,000 people annually by its 10th year of operation.
“Made up of 49,000 daytrip visitors and 26,000 overnight visitors, this will provide significant economic benefit to the region,” it read.
The new trail would also be an opportunity to educate people on the traditions and trails of the area’s traditional owners – the Gadubanud people – who occupied much of the area along the Great Ocean Road.
“Much of the trail replicates the regular trade routes and traditional walks of the Gadubanud people and provides an important opportunity to educate the broader community about Gadubanud Country, culture and the biocultural landscape of the region,” the report read.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning project manager Evan Lewis thanked everyone who had provided feedback for the project over the past year.
“After over 12 months of consultation, we’re really excited to give the community a look at the draft trail masterplan for the new Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail,” he said.
“There has been huge amounts of interest in the trail, first envisaged by Wye River locals following the 2015 bushfires, with over 2400 responses received.”
The first section would span Fairhaven to Big Hill, secondly to Lorne, thirdly to Cumberland River.
On the fourth day people could trek 9.4km to Jamieson Creek or Wye River before finishing up in Kennett River.
The draft plan will be presented at drop in sessions from 11am-1pm at Apollo Bay Community Market on August 6, Wye River CFA on August 13 and Lorne Community House on August 14.
An online drop in session will be heard from 6-8pm on Tuesday, August 16.
Find out more: engage.vic.gov.au/trail-design
More Coverage
Originally published as Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail masterplan revealed
High profile Geelong sporting centre to close
A basketball training hub part-owned by an Olympic medallist is closing its doors, with management citing rising costs as the key factor.
‘My downfall’: Smith’s message to trade critics, reasons behind move
Bailey Smith has opened up on why he chose Geelong and thanked his former club. But he also had a pointed message for his detractors. Plus, he speaks for the first time as a Cat.