Draft Precinct Plan for Kennett River Released
Published on 03 March 2025
Planning for Kennett River's tourism infrastructure improvements is taking shape with the release of the draft Kennett River Precinct Plan and the draft Caravan Park Master Plan for community feedback.
Shaped by extensive community input, the draft Precinct Plan is focused on making the township a place for all to enjoy, balancing an improved experience for locals and visitors while safeguarding its unique environs and coastal character.
The draft Precinct Plan includes plans to enhance the precinct’s usable public open space and increase green zones along the service road, riverbank, and in front of Kafe Koala.
Designated parking spaces have been provided for a range of vehicle types and sizes (excluding large tour coaches), and traffic calming measures such as a zebra crossing on Hawdon Avenue have been included, which will result in a more efficient and safer use of existing space.
Informal parking along the service road will be converted to designated 90-degree spaces, improving traffic efficiency and emergency access while increasing green space.
A single long-vehicle parking bay will accommodate caravans, towing vehicles, and motorhomes, simplifying movement in and out of Kennett River. The draft Precinct Plan does not allow for large tour coaches to enter or stop within the precinct. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will work with the relevant authorities to determine the most appropriate process to implement these restrictions.
An upgraded roundabout will serve as a central hub, linking the main features of the precinct with new all-abilities pedestrian connections.
A new public toilet is proposed near the caravan park entrance, strategically positioned to consolidate assets (building and wastewater treatment systems) and minimise environmental impacts. The re-location of six camping sites is proposed to accommodate the changes.
Key features include:
Expanded public open space: Enhanced usable public open space, including enhanced green zones along the service road, riverbank, and in front of Kafe Koala.
Central hub: The roundabout will serve as a connecting point for key features, while the enhancements in front of Kafe Koala, including the creation of a vibrant gathering space and increased landscaping, aim to establish a Town Square feel that complements Kennett River’s coastal environs and character.
Designated Parking: The parking plan provides for one long vehicle, four medium vehicles (such as small buses and motorhomes,) 24 cars, ten motorcycles, and six bicycle hoops.
Improved traffic flow: A one-way roundabout to simplify traffic flow with designated long-vehicle parking to eliminate unsafe vehicle movements, plus line-marking and landscaping to discourage ad-hoc parking and reduce congestion.
Safe pedestrian pathways: Purpose-built all-abilities pathways and crossings safely connect key areas, including Kafe Koala, the river, the caravan park, public amenities, and recreation zones.
New public toilets: Four toilet stalls (two accessible), positioned in the caravan park to consolidate infrastructure, improve pedestrian access (including from the beach), connection to the wastewater treatment plant, and open views near Kafe Koala with the removal of the existing temporary amenity block.
Upgraded Wastewater Treatment Plant: Planned upgrades reflect current EPA requirements, protecting soil and groundwater quality while enabling water reuse within the caravan park.
The draft Precinct Plan, alongside the Opportunities and Constraints Summary Report, and the draft Kennett River Family Caravan Park Master Plan are now available to view online, with community engagement open from Monday, 3 March, to midnight on Sunday 23 March.
Feedback can be provided via the Have Your Say page or at one of the upcoming online information sessions:
• 5:30pm to 6:30pm on Thursday 6 March
• 12:00pm to 1:00pm on Tuesday 11 March
• 10:00am to 11:00am on Saturday 15 March
• 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday 20 March
For more information and session details, visit www.haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/kennettriver
This project is being delivered as part of the $676.15 million Geelong City Deal, which is a collaborative partnership to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road involving the Australian Government, Victorian Government, local councils, the Authority and key partners.
Quotes to be attributed to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Acting Director Infrastructure and Planning Mark Davies:
“We’re pleased to share the release of the draft Kennett River Precinct Plan and draft Caravan Park Master Plan.
“The plans, shaped by technical evidence and feedback from the community and key partners, aim to highlight what people value most about this incredible place."
“The plan outlines a range of much-needed improvements while protecting everything that makes the area so special.”
“I encourage everyone with a connection to Kennett River to join us at an upcoming online information session to find out more and have a say.”