New cabins could line the Torquay foreshore, GORCAPA says

A proposal for new cabins to be built directly along the Torquay foreshore has been praised as a positive move by a local disability group.

GORCAPA has released plans for new Cabin at the Torquay foreshore caravan park

A proposal for new cabins to be built directly along the Torquay foreshore has been praised as a positive move by a local disability group.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is seeking community input on plans to build the five cabins on the foreshore within the Torquay Family Caravan Park.

Three cabins would cater to families and larger groups, while two would be all-abilities cabins to increase access to the coast for people with mobility challenges or those living with a disability and their support networks.

New Cabins would be built on sites 26 to 40 at the Torquay foreshore caravan park.

All the cabins would be along the southern edge of the caravan park, between Torquay back beach and Spring Creek, and would include a accessible boardwalk.

GORCAPA director of community, corporate affairs and visitor economy Andy Mathers said the team wanted feedback on the landscape plan from park guests and the local community.

“As a proud father of a daughter with complex special needs, this project holds deep personal significance,” he said.

He said the opportunity to create greater disability access was one of enormous pride.

“That’s why we are committed to delivering five exceptional cabins,” he said.

The cabins, to replace a current grass area along with more than 15 camping sites, numbers 26 to 40, would be positioned next to the park’s existing glamping pods and dunes area.

Mr Mathers said all revenue from the land managed by GORCAPA was reinvested back into the Great Ocean Road coast and parks.

Designs have been released for the new GORCAPA cabins planned for Torquay Caravan park.

President of the Disabled Surfers Association in Ocean Grove Jeremy Swift said the cabins were a much-needed move towards making the region’s beaches more accessible for everyone.

“Any improvement in accessibility for people with a disability is a positive,” he said.

“Especially for people with higher needs, finding suitable accommodation can be difficult,” he said.

“Even things as simple as beach matting and access to beach-capable wheelchairs - they are all things that makes it easier for people with disabilities to access things that we sometimes take for granted - like the beach.”

GORCAPA has released plans for new Cabin at the Torquay foreshore caravan park.

Torquay Family Caravan Park has more than 30 existing cabins, alongside numerous space for camping in tents or glamping in pods between Torquay back beach and Spring Creek.

The project has been released for community input, and was posted to several community Facebook pages.

Some took to Facebook to criticise GORCAPA’s use of resources.

“Before this spend how about you work on a plan to fix the sea wall… Would be great to spend money on safety rather than income and I’d hope all in GORCAPA would agree,” one user posted.

Caravan park new GORCAPA cabins.

Another said GORCAPA needed to spend more money on the bathrooms and laundry facilities.

“New fancy accommodation can wait!!”

Community in put can be shared at haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/torquay cabins before February 28.

Originally published as New cabins could line the Torquay foreshore, GORCAPA says