Great Ocean Road Region Towards a vision for the future A land use and transport strategy 2004 Summary Developing the Strategy What is the Great Ocean Road Not managing growth will result in: Region? • environmental damage The region is defined as extending from Torquay in • reduced visitor satisfaction the east to Warrnambool in the west, and northward • potential loss of natural assets to the Princes Highway. It covers five local • unsustainable growth in some towns and government areas – Colac Otway, Corangamite, communities Moyne, Surf Coast and Warrnambool, with a • loss of valued township character, with population of around 100,000 people. inappropriate development • growing congestion on the Great Ocean Road Why do we need a Strategy? and a further reduction in road safety The Great Ocean Road Region is a much visited and • reduced quality of life in many towns and fast growing part of Victoria. Its future needs to be communities carefully planned to make the most of its stunning • increased fire risk and the need for emergency natural environment, natural resource base and management. vibrant communities. Careful planning and management of the region’s The Victorian Government recognises that the Great future growth and development will avoid many of Ocean Road Region needs a long-term strategy that these potential problems. Economically, socially and manages growth and change and provides the environmentally sustainable development will benefit necessary level of supporting infrastructure. the community, visitors and industry alike. Hamilton High wa y ay hw Geelong Ballarat ig MelbourneH Portland Geelong (C) Grovedale Camperdown way Terang gh Winchelsea Moriac Barwon Hi Heads Highway P Surf Coast r Hopkins in Surf Coast (S) Barwon Cobden ces Birregurra Torquay Bluff Marine Warrnambool Moyne (S) Colac Sanctuary Point Allansford Deans Marsh Anglesea Danger Merri Marine Marine Aireys Inlet Sanctuary Sanctuary Timboon Simpson Eagle Rock Point Addis Marine Forrest Marine Corangamite (S) Sanctuary National Park Warrnambool (C) Lorne ad Peterborough o R Port Campbell Colac Separation Creek The Arches -Otway Wye River Marine Sanctuary (S) Gr ea Lavers Hill Kennett River t Princetown Twelve Apostles an e Skenes Creek Marine National c Park O Apollo Bay Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary NORTH 0 20 40 Locality Map kilometres Great Ocean Road Rail LGA boundaries Lakes and rivers Roads Public land* Study area Marine parks and sanctuaries *Final boundaries to be determined by Government on completion of VEAC Angahook-Otway Investigation. 2 Great Ocean Road Region Strategy How was the Strategy developed? The Strategy was developed through a consultative These key messages directly influenced the process, initiated by the Victorian Government and development of the Strategy. Further work was supported by the five councils. All stakeholders have undertaken to inform the Strategy. This included major had the opportunity to participate in the regional transport and landscape character studies. development of the Strategy and to influence the Strategy’s key directions and strategies. A steering Draft Strategy committee comprising representatives from relevant The draft Great Ocean Road Region Strategy was Victorian Government departments and agencies and released in November 2003 for public consultation the region’s five councils has overseen its and written comments. The draft Strategy was based development. on four key directions: 1. Environment: Protect the landscape and care for Discussion Paper the environment The development of the Strategy commenced with 2. Settlement: Manage the growth of towns the release of the Discussion Paper for public comment in late 2001. The Discussion Paper 3. Access: Improve the management of access and provided a basis for exploration and community transport response about key issues. The key messages from 4. Prosperity: Encourage sustainable tourism and the consultation for the Discussion Paper were: resource use • put the environment first The draft Strategy was supported by a range of • manage the development and planning of tourism policies and initiatives. It was developed on the basis to ensure it does not diminish the region’s natural of sustainability principles and consideration of a values and assets range of options for the development of the region • protect the scenic and landscape values of the over the next twenty years. The preferred option in region the draft Strategy was for balanced coastal and • manage the future growth of the region’s inland growth. townships, particularly along the coast, to ensure Written comments and other feedback were analysed the beauty, lifestyle and character of these towns in detail, and further discussions undertaken with are not lost or compromised stakeholders. The consultation indicated widespread • improve access to the region, particularly the community support for the draft Strategy’s four coast, while maintaining the tourist function of directions and supporting policies. The community the Great Ocean Road wanted to know more about the implementation and • recognise the diverse local character of different funding of the Strategy’s initiatives and how the parts of the region Strategy would be included in the planning system. • provide a coordinated response from government agencies • complement other local and regional strategies and initiatives. Great Ocean Road Region Strategy 3 The Strategy in summary What is the Strategy? The Great Ocean Road Region Strategy provides the framework for managing future growth and development. The Strategy is made up of three parts – key directions, implementation and review. • Part 1 provides the Strategy’s key directions and strategies. It sets out what the Strategy is intended to achieve over a 20 year time frame. • Part 2 provides the Implementation Plan for the Strategy. It sets out how the Strategy will be achieved. • Part 3 provides the monitoring and review process for the Strategy. It will ensure regular review and refinements over time. The Strategy will guide decision making for land use and transport in the region. To guide decision making the Strategy will be appropriately articulated in the Victoria Planning Provisions. It will be coordinated with other regional strategies and plans to ensure that it is integrated with other key activities such as land and coastal management, water and sewerage infrastructure servicing, tourism planning, heritage protection and regional development. Hamilt Hi on ghw ay y Promote the geographic and a Geelong hw seasonal dispersal of visitors **Geelong ig Bypass H throughout the whole region. Grovedale t Camperdown way Terang gh Moriac Barwon Hi Winchelsea Heads Highway P Surf Coas r Hopkins in c Cobden es Colac Birregurra Warrnambool Torquay Allansford Deans Anglesea Marsh Timboon Aireys Inlet Simpson Forrest Lorne ad Peterborough o R Port Campbell Separation Creek Princetown Wye River G r Lavers Hill ea Kennett River t Skenes Creek an e Improve travel information and signage c Develop world best practice O Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road, at each sustainable tourism. end and throughout the region. NORTH 0 20 40 Strategy Framework kilometres Ensure effective Direct urban growth to Define the road reserve Improve the safety of protection of coastal townships where it can for the Great Ocean north-south routes areas best be accommodated* Road and improve its connecting Lorne, management; and Apollo Bay and Port Effective protection of Designate Warrnambool upgrade the Great Ocean Campbell to the Princes significant landscapes, and Torquay as Road to improve its Highway West^ catchments and public gateways to the region safety performance land and parks Implement Princes Respect the character of Highway West Corridor coastal towns Strategy *Townships which have adequate access to reticulated sewerage, land availability and potable water supply. ^Directional arrows are indicative only. Specific routes are subject to VicRoads project scheduling and funding priorities. ** Geelong Bypass route to be determined through government investigation process 4 Great Ocean Road Region Strategy Key directions and strategies Environment Access Direction 1 of the Strategy is to protect the Direction 3 of the Strategy is to improve the landscape and care for the environment. management of access and transport. The strategies to achieve this direction are: The strategies to achieve this direction are: • Strengthen protection for public land and parks • Enhance the Great Ocean Road as a world-class (strategy 1.1) travelling experience (strategy 3.1) • Identify and protect significant landscapes • Improve road safety (strategy 3.2) (strategy 1.2) • Develop and promote inland routes (strategy 3.3) • Ensure effective protection of catchments and • Provide more travel choices to and within the coastal areas (strategy 1.3) region (strategy 3.4) • Promote the region’s environmental and cultural values (strategy 1.4) Prosperity Direction 4 of the Strategy is to encourage Settlement sustainable tourism and resource use. Direction 2 of the Strategy is to manage the The strategies to achieve this direction are: growth of towns. • Promote the geographic and seasonal dispersal The strategies to achieve this direction are: of visitors throughout the whole region • Respect the character of coastal towns and (strategy 4.1) promote best practice design for new • Develop world best practice sustainable tourism development (strategy 2.1) (strategy 4.2) • Direct urban growth to townships where it