Colac Otway Shire Council is backing community calls to exclude large tour coaches from Kennett River.
Kennett River residents have requested the bus size restrictions in order to reduce congestion, improve parking and road safety, and limit the impact of tourism on local wildlife such as koalas and birds.
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority requested that Council make this request to the Department of Transport and Planning to exclude large tour coaches, and Council has supported this request.
GORCAPA is overseeing the City Deals project to improve traffic management, parking and public toilet facilities in Kennett River, and excluding large coaches would support those improvements.
Council will also request bollards and signage on the Great Ocean Road near Kennett River to prohibit large tourist coaches from parking on the Great Ocean Road itself.
The proposed traffic control would not prohibit smaller buses or regular vehicles from visiting Kennett River.
The move follows temporary changes Council made to parking at Kennett River over summer to formalise parking and deter motorists from parking in inappropriate locations.
Council will continue to advocate for actions to improve safety and amenity at Kennett River.
Mayor Jason Schram said residents have been saying for years that large coaches have had a negative impact on traffic, parking and safety at Kennett River.
"Excluding large coaches would address long standing concerns by the community and address the impacts of tourism on Kennett River," Cr Schram said.
"The move would have little negative impact on trade in Kennett River. Coaches often stop for a toilet break at Kennett River, but it is commonly understood that tour bus passengers rarely spend money in Kennett River while there."
The removal of larger coach parking in Kennett River would increase the availability of parking for other vehicles and reduce the number of visitors in public areas around the shop and caravan park area.
"It is these areas where the community has expressed the most concern about visitors walking across the road and viewing local wildlife, conflicting with traffic using these roads," Cr Schram said.
