Values and Challenges
While most Victorian coastal land is in public ownership, the physical nature of the coast dictates that accessibility varies markedly along its length. Parts of the Victorian coastline are readily accessible, particularly in the highly trafficked urban centres and tourism areas. Relatively remote and largely inaccessible wilderness areas remain at isolated locations along the coast. Given public ownership of most of the coast, reasonable access for all levels of mobility and modes of transport is expected by Victorians and is appropriate to facilitate appreciation of what the coast has to offer. It is, however, neither possible nor desirable to provide a uniformly high level of access to all parts of the coast.
Parts of the Victorian coastline are paralleled by a coastal road and while stretches such as the Great Ocean Road are now cultural icons of international standing, other sections are poorly located aesthetically and do not reflect the dynamic nature of the coastal environment. Construction of roads and car parks in foredunes and other sensitive areas frequently results in a very unstable environment which cannot be viably maintained over time. Inland routes which generally parallel coastal routes and feeder roads are a preferable alternative to new or upgraded linear roads abutting the coast. Car parks servicing the coast require sensitive location as far back as is practicable from dune systems and cliffs. Vehicle access to beaches will generally be discouraged and only allowed in accordance with an approved coastal management plan. The provision of pedestrian access will be designed, sited and managed to minimise public risk, enhance environmental protection, minimise risks of erosion and improve access.
Victorians have a high level of boat ownership reflecting our proximity to the marine environment, which in turn requires specialist facilities for launching, mooring and safety. There is currently a shortage of these facilities in Victoria due to a lack of suitably protected sites, the high cost of construction and maintenance, and the potential they have to cause significant environmental impact. Upgraded and additional appropriately sited and well managed boating facilities are required to provide safe and affordable access to the marine environment.
Objectives
4.1.
Improve opportunities for safe boating and water based activities
4.2.
Reduce the impact of vehicles in the coastal environment
4.3.
Promote and protect the values of scenic coastal roads
4.4.
Improve signage to and along the coast
4.5.
Improve access at strategic locations along the coast
Objective
/ Actions
4.1. Improve opportunities for safe boating and water based activities
Lead Agent: Regional
Coastal Boards in partnership with Parks Victoria, Local Government, Marine
Board of Victoria.
| 4.1.1 | The overall objective for boating is to enhance water safety outcomes through infrastructure, training, and integrated safety networks, including strategic assessment of coastal radio and communications systems. Planning for the provision of boating access and safe and functional facilities will seek to ensure that best use is made of existing infrastructure. |
| 4.1.2 | Coastal and bay locations that have natural benefits, such as sheltered boating locations due to protection from prevailing winds and sea conditions, shall be identified through a recreational boating strategy or regional boating plans. Planning should give priority to maritime related uses at these locations (refer to Figure 7). |
| 4.1.3 | Regional boat launching and retrieval facilities will be designed to provide all tide and all weather facilities where possible. The provision of services, including effluent disposal facilities at strategic boating locations, will be encouraged. |
| 4.1.4 | Destination points and boat harbours will be identified and developed to provide a range of services for visiting boats, including ferries, commercial charter, tour and training boats. |
| 4.1.5 | A consistent approach to communicating marine regulations and safety through signage and education programs will be implemented. |
| 4.1.6 | The provision of boating facilities and strategic planning for boating use will be consistent with fisheries management, conservation aims, boating demands and safety requirements, and will consider potential impacts on amenity and quality of experience for other coastal and beach users (eg. noise from personal water craft). |
4.2. Reduce the impact of vehicles in the coastal environment
Lead Agent: Local
Government in partnership with Department of Natural Resources and Environment,
Department of Infrastructure, Parks Victoria, VicRoads.
| 4.2.1 | Vehicle access to key coastal locations will be managed and improved through the development of regional access strategies that consider all transport modes. Priority will be given to the development of the Great Ocean Road Region Strategy. |
| 4.2.2 | Local traffic management plans for coastal townships will be developed to minimise traffic impacts on resident and visitor enjoyment of the coast, including consideration of "Park and Ride" schemes, township by-passes and minimising car parking on foreshore land. |
| 4.2.3 | Alternative modes of transport in and around coastal townships will be encouraged, primarily by the provision of safe pedestrian and bicycle tracks. |
| 4.2.4 | Regional priorities to rationalise and improve foreshore car parking areas will be established. This will include establishing new areas or improving existing areas through works to stabilise, revegetate, relocate, replace or remove poorly located roads and car parks. |
| 4.2.5 | Any new access roads to the coast will be from existing feeder roads, and should not be constructed as parallel roads to the coast. Any opportunities that arise to remove or relocate existing parallel roads will be investigated. |
| 4.2.6 | Where
there is an identified need to control or moderate aircraft operations
(including scenic flights and whale watching), Fly Neighbourly Agreements
(code of practice) will be developed with operators to minimise impact
on wildlife and protect the amenity of other visitors to the coast. |
| 4.2.7 | Public transport services (eg. buses) to and along the coast will be encouraged and promoted. |
4.3. Promote and protect the values of scenic coastal roads
Lead Agent: Regional
Coastal Boards in partnership with Tourism Victoria, Local Government,
Department of Infrastructure, VicRoads.
| 4.3.1 | Planning schemes will be the primary mechanism to protect scenic and other values along coastal roads. |
| 4.3.2 | The development of a Victorian Scenic Coastal Drive will continue. Existing coastal roads between Warrnambool and Inverloch and between Seaspray and Loch Sport will be designated and promoted as scenic drives or tourist roads, with improved signage and facilities. |
4.4. Improve signage to and along the coast
Lead Agent: Regional
Coastal Boards in partnership with Tourism Victoria, Local Government,
Parks Victoria, VicRoads.
| 4.4.1 | A strategic approach to orientation signage, interpretation and historic places will be reinforced along the coast to improve visitor awareness, understanding and experiences. |
4.5. Improve access at strategic locations along the coast
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Parks Victoria,
Local Government, Committees of Management, Department of Infrastructure.
| 4.5.1 | Access for all levels of mobility will be provided at appropriate locations along the coast. |
| 4.5.2 | Priority should be given to identifying strategic regional access points, infrastructure and management requirements, particularly in areas that will experience pressure from high levels of future regional population growth or enhanced mobility. Priority areas include the Surf Coast area to Apollo Bay, the northern end of Western Port and the west coast of Port Phillip Bay. |
| 4.5.3 | A
series of strategically located coastal walks, incorporating short
and long distances, will be progressively established to improve opportunities
to enjoy the coast by foot and will incorporate: - the Great South West Walk; - the Bay Trail; and - the Bass Coast Trail. |
