Bells Beach - July 2024

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We’re excited to share that we’ve been appointed to take on management responsibility for Crown land at Bells Beach/Djarrak, near Torquay.

The Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve will transfer to us from the Surf Coast Shire Council, on 1 July 2024.

This area is on Wadawurrung Country, located within the Registered Aboriginal Party area of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

We have worked closely with Surf Coast Shire Council to ensure a smooth transition.

The community should not notice any changes to the level of service and maintenance of the land.

We know Bells Beach is a highly valued and much-loved place, and welcome knowledge and insights to help shape our future land management plans.

Why are land management transfers taking place? 

The coast and parks along the Great Ocean Road are so special, and so important to Victorians, that the Victorian Government established the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (the Authority) as a dedicated coast and parks manager. 

We will have responsibility to protect and manage visitation of the coast and parks along the full length of the Great Ocean Road. We will provide a holistic approach to address the impacts of increasing visitation, environmental processes, severe weather events and climate change. 

As the dedicated coast and parks manager our purpose is to protect, conserve, enhance and manage public land. We are also the designated lead agency for visitation management policy, planning and infrastructure by responsible entities along the Great Ocean Road. 

The Great Ocean Road and Environs Protection Act 2020 provides for the management responsibility of approximately 700 parcels of land and sea be transferred to us by 1 November 2025.

All revenue raised on the land we manage is reinvested back into the Great Ocean Road coast and parks, to ensure the special part of the state can be enjoyed now and for generations to come.

Which land parcels will be transferred?

While we are already responsible for much of the land in this area, the transfer will extend our management to additional bushland and car parks, including:

  • the Waves car park (corner of Bells Beach Road)
  • Winkipop and Bells Beach
  • bushland up to the East edge of Southside car park; and
  • water 300m out to sea, from Rocky Point in Torquay up to Point Addis Marine Sanctuary.

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What will change following the land management transfers? 

We have been working closely with Surf Coast Shire Council to ensure the smooth transition of management responsibility, so you should not experience any change in the way you use the areas. 

Current management and maintenance of the area is guided by the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2015-25 (CMMP).

We will be responsible for developing a new CMMP for the Reserve.

This will involve extensive community, stakeholder, and Traditional Owner consultation, to ensure the natural, cultural and heritage values of the Reserve are protected and enhanced.

We look forward to connecting locally and engaging with all who love the Reserve, to plan for its future together.

Have Your Say

To have your say, share your valuable knowledge and to stay up to date with our land management transfers, please visit: https://haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/land-transfers

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