Direction 3. Access The implementation of strategies for upgrading the Princes Highway between Geelong and Colac and a western bypass of Geelong are likely to affect traffic circulation and choice of route to the eastern portion of the Great Ocean Road. There is no problem with the capacity of inland routes, since the regional network is comprehensive and generally can accommodate increased traffic volumes. The aim will be to improve these roads, as and where necessary, with devices such as better signage, travel time information and promotion in visitor literature. This should encourage travellers to consider them as viable and interesting alternatives to the Great Ocean Road, especially at times of peak travel demand. The intersection of these hinterland routes with the Great Ocean Road requires specific consideration. The current heavy traffic flow volumes along the Great Ocean Road during peak periods and the likely future increase of traffic resulting from increased visitation will have an impact on user safety and have the potential to reduce resident Hamilto and visitor satisfaction. n Geelong y a w h 8,100 g i 4,300 Pr H in 7,000 c e y Camperdown s wa High 7,800 22,000 Highway 8,800 Surf Coast Hopkins 4,200 1,600 Cobden 5,100 1,000 Torquay Colac Birregurra 5,800 000 10,100 13, 860 Warrnambool 3,000 Scotts Creek 700 Anglesea 3, Aireys Inlet Simpson Forrest 3,000 11, 200 Lorne G ,800 rea 1 t Port Campbell 13,800 2,000 2,300 1,400 Ocea n Lavers Hill 2,300 2,500 2,300 4,600 Road 6,800 Apollo Bay 0 20 40 Figure 14 Easter Monday daily traffic, 2002 kilometres Source: Department of Infrastructure Great Ocean Road Rail Preferred north–south routes 1,000 Seasonal average daily traffic Great Ocean Road Region 43 Policies and initiatives Hamilton Hi y Hamilto gh a n whayw Geelong Route choice, particularlyig on return journeys, plays H Geelong an important factor into congestion along the Great 59% Trips d Ocean Road. A24% signage Trips strategy is proposed to 41% R Camperdown a d Trips d e s provide alternative route choicesR to motorists ay R a w le h h g d s y Hig n ese headinga towards the Great Ocean Road10% Region or ar hw A Highway M ig Surf Coast H ngl Trips P s arsh R Hopkins r A i heading out of the region. n n Highway M c a 59% Surf Coast Cobden e e s s Birregurra D 14% n D - a Trips e a e a Colac e Trips Torquay n D s D Torquay l - s e a e a h e M Winc n ls c Rd rra a s e o la h C r M - 18% Winc on s Timbo h Anglesea a Scotts Creek - Trips r L s Birregu 24% Trips -Forrest Rd o h Anglesea r - n L e Aireys Inlet o R r n d e Aireys Inlet Simpson d R R d Forrest ll i F 69% Trips o Road H r s r Lorne r e e s v Lorne t a - Geelong Geelong Geelong A G L r - p 41% e c a o t Port Campbell a l l l Trips o o C B 32% a d d y Trips d R R R R 89% 10% Ocea 28% d a a Ocean a n e e e Trips s Trips LaversTrips Hill 87% e 61% es l l les % Travel via selected route g n ng ng Trips Trips t A A A a Highway Highway Note: Illustrations depict the route journey Highway Surf Coast Surf Coast e Surf Coast oad r choice of individuals travelling back to R G Torquay Torquay Geelong and Melbourne from townships Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road. Torquay 97% 89% Trips Trips NORTH Anglesea Anglesea Anglesea 0 20 40 Aireys Inlet Aireys Inlet Aireys Inlet kilometres Source: Department of Infrastructure. Figure 15 Route choice from Torquay/Anglesea/Aireys Inlet–Fairhaven/Apollo Bay to Melbourne/Geelong Hamilton ay hw Geelong ig H d R Camperdown a d e s ay R w le h h g s Hig n ar 59% Trips A Highway M P Surf Coast Hopkins ri s n n Cobden c 41% Trips a es Birregurra e D D - e a 41% a Colac e Torquay n ls Trips s h e M Winc c Rd rra o la a -C r on s Timbo h Anglesea Scotts Creek - L Birregu -Forrest Rd o r n Hi e Aireys Inlet Hamilto gh R n way d Simpson d R Forrest Geelong ll i F o Road H r s r Lorne r e e s v 24% Trips 18% Trips t a - A G L d r - p e Port Campbell c R a o t a l l a l e o o C ay Rd 10% B w les a gh 32% Trips Hi y ng Trips R 14% Trips d A Ocean Highway Marsh 59% Surf Coast s Lavers Hill n a Trips % Travel via selected route e D D Torquay t - a e Note: Illustrations depict the route journey a a e e r n ls choice of individuals travelling back to s h e G M Winc Apollo Bay Geelong and Melbourne from townships a r s 24% Trips along the Great Ocean Road. h Anglesea - L o r n NORTH e Aireys Inlet R d 0 20 40 69% Trips kilometres Lorne Source: Department of Infrastructure. Figure 16 Route choice from Lorne/Port Campbell to Melbourne/Geelong 44 Great Ocean Road Region Direction 3. Access 3.3 Improve road safety and emergency management planning The safety of roads throughout the region must be evaluated, given the increasing volume of traffic and the challenging nature of sections of the Great Ocean Road and some hinterland roads through the Otways. There are few options for changing the alignment of the Great Ocean Road. Combined with congestion on the road, this can impede emergency management services, particularly in serious emergencies, although improvement of north–south access routes (see Initiative 3.2.1) will help this. In terms of safety, accident statistics show that sections of the Princes Highway and of the Great Ocean Road reflect crash rates that exceed the state averages, as do some smaller hinterland routes. Between Anglesea and Apollo Bay, some 50 per cent of all accidents involve motorcycles. Measures will be implemented to reduce these accident rates. Influencing travel demand Travel demand management is a tool to influence people’s decisions about how and when they travel, and how far, and thus to reduce or redistribute travel demand. It is applied through measures that directly involve the transport system, or through urban planning measures that alter the travel environment. Travel demand management strategies can lead to better use of existing transport infrastructure, reduced air emissions, and improved mobility. Great Ocean Road Region 45 Policies and initiatives Seasonal crowding can lead to problems with parking and beach access. Coastal towns have limited provision for cyclists and pedestrians. Bus stops could be improved. Fire is a major seasonal threat to safety in the region. The government is currently revising the Otway Fire Protection Plan for the national parks and state forests within the region. The plan provides for an integrated program for public land fire management, and it is being revised in accordance with Victoria’s Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land. The development of the plan has involved community consultation and the close involvement of relevant Shires and the local CFA. It is expected that the revised plan will be completed by September 2003. The Essential Services Commissioner is currently conducting an Inquiry into the 2002/03 bushfire season. It is expected that the Inquiry will address issues including fire prevention on public land and private land subdivisions in fire prone areas. This report is due in September and the results will then be considered by the government. The office of the Essential Services Commissioner is developing a pilot process for councils to consult with local communities about fire refuge areas. Surf Coast Shire will be Initiatives involved in the pilot process. 3.3.1 Seek to upgrade the Great Ocean Road to improve its safety performance by: •reviewing the speed limit and enforcement measures •reducing traffic impacts in small coastal towns •progressively sealing road shoulders •replacing, widening and/or strengthening of bridges where necessary •specific measures at the western end where accident rates are high. 3.3.2 Ensure safety issues are addressed in future upgrades of hinterland routes. 3.3.3 Assess and plan for future freight needs, particularly at the western end of the region (see Policy 4.1). 46 Great Ocean Road Region Direction 3. Access 3.4 Provide more travel choices to and At its eastern end (from Torquay to Anglesea), within the region the Great Ocean Road is an important regional access route for Geelong and Melbourne. The Consideration needs to be given to providing southward spread of Geelong, and growth at innovative forms of public transport. For Torquay, will add to its access role. The example, access to specific sites could be development of Grovedale station will create improved with shuttle bus services. more opportunities for public transport access to More targeted and better promoted rail and bus the region. At the western end, public transport services could be provided, particularly during in Warrnambool has recently been upgraded peak activity periods and for major events such with the development of Warrnambool station as Lorne’s Pier-to-Pub swim and the Apollo Bay as a regional public transport interchange while Music Festival.