Despite the freezing cold weather, the coast has been a winter jewel over the past few weeks with whales, waves and other wonders adding to the sparkle. Don’t you just love this time of year although, judging by the stories in this edition, the past month has been another busy time for us.
To ensure our campers are kept regularly informed about our work, including what’s happening in our caravan parks and along the coast in general, we recently decided to add them to our newsletter mailing list, starting with our Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park campers. If this is the first time you’ve received Great Ocean Road Coast News, welcome and happy reading. While we hope you look forward to receiving your copy each month, you can opt-out at any time just by choosing the ‘unsubscribe’ link at the bottom. And as always we invite your feedback.
Contract awarded for Torquay’s new boat ramp
The contract to build the new Torquay boat ramp was recently awarded to Fitzgerald Constructions Australia with construction works due to commence in August.
Based in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Fitzgerald Constructions Australia has more than 25 years hands-on experience in civil engineering and concrete construction, initially specialising in bridge construction. More recently, the company has developed a reputation for its expertise in marine construction, having successfully delivered a number of major marine projects, including high profile wharf upgrades and several related to Melbourne’s Docklands development.
According to the current project schedule, the new ramp will be commissioned by November 2010 to replace the existing ramp, which is more than 50 years old. It will be built on concrete piles and continue to function primarily as a beach access ramp with most launches occurring off hard sand. As such, it will provide locals and visitors alike with a much improved and safer facility that will enhance their enjoyment of recreational boating and other marine-based activities
The State Government has provided the majority of funding for the new boat ramp through its Boating Safety and Facilities Program with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and the Torquay Angling Club also contributing some funding. [More information]
Torquay caravan park’s power upgrade on track as vans move back in
The power upgrade in the southern section of Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park continues to move full steam ahead. The first group of caravans and annexes belonging to 12-month permit holders has already been reinstated onsite, marking the completion of all works in that particular area, while last week saw the final group of vans and annexes being temporarily relocated from a fairly large area to enable works to proceed in that area.
This cracking pace means the power upgrade is on track to be completed on time and within budget, thanks to the efforts of our contractors and caravan park staff, and the cooperation and understanding of our regular campers. The first of five new cabins is also due to arrive in August to replace the outmoded existing onsite accommodation in the park’s southern section. [More information]
Old toilet block closes to make way for a new one
This week saw the end of an era of sorts as Torquay’s ageing public toilet block on The Esplanade foreshore between Bell Street and Price Street was demolished to make way for a new one. 
The new facility’s design has been more than four years in the making and has involved extensive consultation with residents, the Surf Coast Shire and Department of Sustainability and Environment. When complete, it will replace a very old and run-down facility (see photo right), and provide contemporary, spacious amenities for thousands of local and visiting beachgoers.
Designed by Geelong-based architect Peter Woolard, the final design acknowledges the site as being in a highly visible, sensitive coastal location. It incorporates a range of design features that seek to merge the building with its landscape, thereby reducing its overall visual impact. Sensitive landscaping around the building will further complement the facility and its surrounds.
The new toilet block will be ready in October 2010 and will provide separate facilities for men and women, disabled and baby change facilities, and an outdoor shower. Its footprint and impact on the site will be less than what’s currently there while ensuring the facility is readily accessible to everyone.
A bit more nitty-gritty about the Lorne Foreshore Precinct project
As reported in our last edition, the State Government recently announced a $758,000 grant to support the installation of heating for the Lorne Foreshore Precinct with the committee, Surf Coast Shire and local community collectively chipping in the additional $100,000 required to fund the works.
We will be responsible for administering the project funding and reporting to the funding provider (i.e. Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development). The department has appointed a designated project officer who will liaise with us during the entire project and to whom we will report.
All funds will flow through us as we work in partnership to deliver this important project with the precinct lessees, Landcorp Foreshore Precinct Pty Ltd. The Lorne Pool Working Party - comprising representatives from the Lorne community, shire, lessees and ourselves - will re-convene shortly and commence its role in an advisory and communication capacity to support the project.
The next steps include seeking proposals to develop the concept to design stage followed by project estimating and tender documentation. As indicated by our proposed schedule below, we are aiming to have the project ready for tender in February next year with construction to commence after the ANZAC Day weekend.
A number of project milestones must be achieved to release the funding. These include design and documentation, installation of the ground loop system, heat pump installation and commissioning.
The Geoexchange heating system captures heat energy from the environment and from heat pumps, and transfers this energy to underground storage in stable ground structures to be returned to the surface to heat the foreshore precinct. Around 400 of these systems have already been constructed in Australia covering up to six different design options.
Proposed project schedule (as at July 2010)
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July 2010 - Finalise project management team (i.e. architect, engineer, project manager, etc.)
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November 2010 - Detailed design, documentation and approvals in place
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January to February 2011 - Project construction tender/procurement
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March 2011 - Appointment of contractors and/or service providers
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May to August 2011 - Project construction
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August 2011 - Project completion
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September 2011 onwards - Project marketing and promotion
From the committee
Our new committee held its first meeting last Friday, 16 July 2010 with our newest members, Graham Brawn, Clinton Fraser, Ian Jupp and Daniel Marquet, welcomed on board before the meeting got down to business.
One of the new committee’s first priorities was to endorse our 2010-2011 capital program. This year’s program will fund a number of major projects, including the new Torquay boat ramp and Fishermans Beach redevelopment. The Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park pump station will be decommissioned, which will delight all campers who currently stay in that section of the park at Erskine River, while several ageing vehicles and key plant and equipment items will also be replaced.
The committee also discussed the new sub-committee structure in which all members participate. While the Coastal Reserves and Business Services sub-committee structures are still being finalised, the Audit and Remuneration Sub-Committee is already in place and has held its first meeting. Chaired by Peter Bauerle, members are Dennis Barker, John Carlile, Clinton Fraser and Daniel Marquet.
The Audit and Remuneration Sub-Committee deals primarily with matters of governance, policy and commercial process. The structure of the other two sub-committees will be announced soon.
Latest progress on new Surf Coast Walk
The Surf Coast Walk redevelopment project continues, with works currently underway at the Eumeralla Scout Camp to replace the old timber steps with a long set of rugged limestone steps. The track is currently closed at the site but is expected to re-open soon. A detour will be in place until then. 
The new steps will offer some great views towards Anglesea and Aireys Inlet (see photo right).
In Fairhaven, work is about to start on rebuilding an existing section of track, which involves removing some steps to make it accessible to a wider range of users. We’ll also be rebuilding parts of the track between Anglesea and Point Roadknight to improve drainage and make the track safer and more sustainable.
Work is continuing on vegetation and Aboriginal heritage surveys as part of the approvals process.
What’s our Conservation Team up to this month?
Our conservation team is busy implementing priority weed control and rehabilitation works as part of the Great Ocean Road Renewal Program. The past month has seen the team focusing on removing weeds in the Anglesea River mouth area and at several revegetation sites. The team has also provided support to a number of coastal volunteer groups in Lorne, Moggs Creek, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Jan Juc and Torquay.
Split Point look-out to close soon
As reported in our last edition, the Split Point look-out near the Aireys Inlet lighthouse will be closed soon while a new look-out is built. The commencement date has changed to the first week in August and the new look-out will be in place by the end of August.
This month’s blog posts
After a brief hiatus, we’ve recommenced our Great Ocean Road Coast Blog to encourage dialogue about the coast and our work to look after it. This month’s posts are:
Log on here to read our thoughts on these topics and add your own by posting your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!
Forum for Coastal Volunteers
Coast Action/Coastcare, in partnership with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and Otway Coast, invites all coastal volunteers between Torquay and Port Campbell to share, celebrate, connect and look to the future at a Forum for Coastal Volunteers on Sunday 29 August 2010 from 10am to 3.30pm at the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club.
The forum promises great food and great company while providing opportunities to celebrate achievements, build connections and look to the future. If you’re a coastal volunteer and/or are passionate about caring for the coast, you just have to be there! For more information and to register, please email Jess Brown or Tracey Pennington or call 5220 5008. See you there!
Winter still a great time to camp on the Great Ocean Road!
With a range of attractive special offers over winter including free nights, there’s no time like the present to book a holiday at our Torquay or Lorne foreshore caravan parks:
Happy holidays!
Upcoming coastal volunteer activities
Visit our website to find out how you can become involved in looking after our coast or learning more about its many natural attractions.
We welcome your feedback
We welcome your ideas and suggestions about how we can improve Great Ocean Road Coast News. Contributions from groups and individuals about coastal-related activities and matters are also invited. Please note that the editor reserves the right to include or omit contributions, based on their relevance to our readership, and to edit articles as necessary.
Visit our website
Our website contains more information about our organisation and the work we do to look after our beautiful, precious coast, as well as access to a range of social media tools to talk to us online. See you again next edition!
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is appointed by the Victorian Government to manage 37 kilometres of Crown land foreshore reserves along the Great Ocean Road between Torquay and Lorne. Our work includes the protection of natural and cultural values along the coast, operation and maintenance of coastal assets, infrastructure and facilities, and the running of caravan parks in Torquay and Lorne. Our vision is a coast loved, protected and enjoyed by all. Great Ocean Road Coast News is produced monthly to keep you better informed about our work and coastal issues in general.
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