OTWAY FORUM MEETING No. 322 - April 14, 2019
Apologies Cr. Chris Potter
- The northern section of Binn’s road to be sealed for $500,000.
- The road is now receiving ever more tourist traffic going to the Californian redwoods.
- With log trucks also using the road the whole distance needs sealing and better signage.
- Road Maintenance Agreements also needed with the logging company.
- TRACT Consultants have been appointed to oversee the proposed Community Infrastructure Plan.
- The CIP will cover all public infrastructure between Marengo, Apollo bay and Skenes creek.
- There will be plenty of opportunity for public consultation before a Draft Master Plan is produced by the end of this year.
- A foreshore master plan, a township plan and a harbour redevelopment master plan, etc. will be included.
- Multiple studies such as flora and fauna, cultural heritage, ground water, etc. will have to be produced during the process.
- After further consultation on the Draft Plan, a final Master Plan will be produced next year.
- More funding will then be needed to complete all aspects of the final plan.
- Funding of a least $7m is also needed urgently to fix current infrastructure issues at the harbour
- Mean while the erosion issues seem to be accelerating.
- DEWLP still looking at a long term solution which may include groynes.
- Groynes have previously been estimated to cost up to $1m each.
- The most likely scenario is 4 on the front beach and 4 on the back beach.
- A bigger more mobile dredge is also needed to pump offshore sand on to the beaches behind the groynes and keep the harbour clear.
- A decision needs to be made asap to prevent further loss of the beach front.
- Planning for rerouting the GOR in certain areas has also been recommended.
- GORCC and the CSIRO have studied all these issues in detail 6 years ago in a major report which makes for very sobering reading. Click on the picture to the right to see the report.
- Still the bureaucrats and the politicians hesitate to commit to long term solutions !!!???
- Emergency funding of $20,000 has been provided for a fence to stop the very fine reclaimed sand from the harbour, blowing on to the GOR at the back beach.
- Good luck with that idea!!
- Great Ocean Road Authority has reached the Standing Committee? stage.
- Terms of reference, funding, staffing, location, objectives, legislation etc. yet to be decided.
- Should there be a moratorium on all major developments on public and private land until GORA is in place?
- Harbour boat ramp car park sealing to start soon.
- Holiday home owners should be enrolled to vote in local council elections.
- Pick your preference on the review of wards for COS by 24th April.
- If you want local representation on COS it is VERY important to pick option B or C.
Otway Forum meets 2nd Sunday of every month at 3pm at Marrar Woorn or find us at www.forum.apollobay.org.au.
Find out what’s really going on!
Peter Fillmore
Hon. Secretary
Otway Forum
0428 091 694