Council and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) have partnered on a draft Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek and Marengo Community Infrastructure Plan (draft CIP), which sets a long-term vision with strategic principles and concept plans for key infrastructure within those townships to guide development over the next 20-30 years.
"This is an important document for the Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek and Marengo communities and we acknowledge and thank the community and stakeholders for their significant suggestions and feedback over the last few years to ensure the plan best reflects community aspirations and current legislative and policy directions," said Mayor Kate Hanson. "The foreshore areas, managed by GORCAPA, provide important facilities for our community so we're really pleased to be able to work closely together."
Both Council and GORCAPA are delighted to be close to releasing the plan for public exhibition once endorsement by both Council and the GORCAPA Board has been given. Council endorsement of the draft plan came at its May Council Meeting with the GORCAPA Board to consider it at its upcoming meeting in early June.
"This plan represents a great opportunity for us and the council to work with the Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek and Marengo communities to shape the future of these towns," said Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority CEO Jodie Sizer. "We thank the community for their involvement to date and look forward to hearing their feedback as we move forward with the plan."
The draft CIP includes a District Plan outlining primary linkages between town activity nodes and destinations, such as recreational trails, walking and cycling connections, as well as Foreshore Masterplans, Streetscape Plans, Design Guidelines for the Apollo Bay Streetscape and a Harbour Development Plan (which has been finalised and adopted by Council in December 2020 to support the City Deals project).
When the draft CIP is endorsed for public exhibition, Council will send written notification to all owners and occupiers of land advising how they can access the plan and provide a submission providing feedback.
Community drop-in information sessions will also be held to provide an opportunity for direct liaison with Council officers, GORCAPA and the community.
