Princetown & Port Campbell - May 2024
We’re excited to share that we’ve been appointed to take on management responsibility for Crown land in Princetown and Port Campbell, including the Princetown Recreation Reserve and the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve, currently managed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). These land parcels will transfer to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (the Authority), effective from 13 May 2024.
This land is on Eastern Maar Country, located within the Registered Aboriginal Party area of Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation. We acknowledge the Kirrae Whurrung as the traditional custodians of the land which forms the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve.
This transition has been supported through collaboration with each Volunteer Committee of Management and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to ensure a smooth transition.
The dedication of each volunteer committee has played a pivotal role in shaping the spaces we are now entrusted with. We are deeply thankful for the countless hours and hard work invested by both current and past committee members.
The community should not notice any changes to the level of service in the maintenance of the land transitioning over to the Authority.
We know these are much-loved and important places in Princetown and Port Campbell for both the community and local stakeholders, and welcome knowledge and insights to help shape our future land management plans for the area.
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, enabling a holistic approach to addressing 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.
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. This includes improved environmental, education, conservation and visitor services right along the coastline.
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.
Which land parcels will be transferred?
What will change following the land management transfers?
We have been working closely with DEECA to ensure the smooth transition of management responsibility for this land so you should not experience any change in the way you use the areas.
While our short-to-medium term management of this land will remain consistent with that applied by the previous land managers, we are engaging with community to best understand the areas and shape our management plans for the future.
We’re also working with Traditional Owners to respect the cultural values and aspirations of the land and waters.
As part of our increasing land management responsibilities we are seeking to understand the key cultural, social, environmental, and economic values and uses, as well as capturing the community interests and local significance attached to each parcel and asset.
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
Feedback from the community, visitors and stakeholders will help shape how we manage these parcels in the future.