Residents of Port Campbell love to gaze out on the ocean in all its moods from various vantage points in the south-west Victorian town.
The bay at Port Campbell attracts swimmers, fishers and surfers, with the wild Southern Ocean just beyond the cliffs. The stunning views are among the town’s best-loved features.
Recently, the Corangamite Shire has been carrying out rejuvenation works in Port Campbell. The foreshore and main streetscape have been updated. There are new retaining walls, lawns and road improvements.
Sue Younis on a viewing platform at Port Campbell. Credit: Nicole Cleary
But among the most contentious works are a series of viewing decks under construction beneath towering Norfolk Island pines overlooking the water. Critics of this part of the project argue the sweeping views of their beloved bay from one favoured section has been replaced by angular wooden barriers rising from the decks.
Port Campbell resident Sue Younis said she was shocked to see the wooden balustrades being installed when she went recently to view the project being built.
“We were horrified,” she said.
Younis said while the council had consulted the community about the project, she and others were still surprised to see the real thing with the wooden barriers. She said the bay was visible for anyone standing on the decks, but the balustrades obscured views from the street.
A different view of the bay at Port Campbell. Credit: Nicole Cleary
“This was the most exciting part of the whole streetscape for the local people, and we thought we were having nice big open decks with a clear balustrade.”
Last month, Younis launched a petition requesting the council remove the wooden balustrade panelling and replace it with something that did not obstruct views of the bay.
She said the petition had received more than 1400 signatures. At the 2021 census, the population of Port Campbell and its immediate surrounding areas was 440.
Younis said the council had made some modifications, including replacing one section of wooden balustrades with wires. In some places, the height of the wooden walls has been lowered slightly.
New works under construction in the town.Credit: Nicole Cleary
Port Campbell, a popular holiday destination, is a short drive from the dramatic geological formations of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Younis said residents and visitors had previously been able to enjoy the views from their cars near the Norfolk Island pines, which was ideal for people with limited mobility or during wild weather.
Port Campbell cafe owner Maria Gordon said the design of the decks should have been left more open.
“People come to a seaside village for the views,” she said. “It doesn’t need to be closed in.”
Corangamite Shire Council has contributed funding and design and construction works for the Port Campbell revitalisation. The state and federal governments have also kicked in funding for the project. It is part of the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan, which involves a series of rejuvenation projects at towns along the Great Ocean Road.
People taking selfies at Port Campbell. Credit: Nicole Cleary
Corangamite Shire Mayor Kate Makin said the spectacular views from the decks were only a few metres from the footpath. She said the lookout and picnic decks had come directly from a co-design process with the community.
“The windbreaks were specifically mentioned, so people could enjoy the view all year round, out of the southerly winds in the wilder months,” she said.
The council said the cost for the Port Campbell town centre revitalisation project had reached $15.6 million, with $5.6 million coming from the federal government and $6 million from the state.
Makin said funding from the state and federal governments was granted based on the design the council had delivered. “Major design changes would have been in breach of the funding conditions and regulatory approvals.”
But Younis said the project had fallen short of a key principle in the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan: “If locals love it, visitors will, too.”
This issue might have some bearing on the coming federal election despite its hyper-local nature. Port Campbell is in the west Victorian seat of Wannon. At the 2022 election, sitting Liberal MP Dan Tehan and his main challenger, independent candidate Alex Dyson, received 97 votes each at the small town’s polling station.
Tehan said residents had raised the issue with him, and he would meet them on Sunday to discuss their concerns and what courses of action were available.
Dyson said he had been to Port Campbell and had spoken to locals “quite a few times” in the past month.
“I know this massive project has been challenging for everyone – locals, visitors, contractors and council – but especially locals,” he said.
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