Protecting the Great Ocean Road
Published on 19 January 2024
Making decisions for a brighter future
Scientific research tells us that Australia’s coastline is changing. With global sea levels expected to rise by over a metre by 2100, planning for the future of the Great Ocean Road requires a delicate balancing act.
Our mission is two-fold: we exist to protect, conserve, and manage the Great Ocean Road coast and parks, and safeguard its cultural values, while nurturing responsible economic development and sustainable visitation.
At the heart of our approach is evidence-based decision-making.
In a world affected by the impacts of a changing climate, and an ever-increasing number of visitors, evidence-based decision-making provides the tools we need to navigate these complex issues.
This involves the gathering, evaluation, and application of a wide range of relevant information, scientific research, history, Traditional Owner knowledges, local insights, and other credible sources.
Data is all around us, and it significantly informs the way we manage our coast and parks.
As part of our Coastal Monitoring Program, we undertake post-storm erosion assessments and complete drone surveys to monitor the diverse ways our coastline is changing. The drone surveys capture aerial images of the coast, which we stitch together to observe both the short- and long-term changes to foreshore position and cliff structure.
Importantly, we can compare surveys to see where sand has been lost and where it has been gained, which helps us to understand our vulnerability and focus our attention on the areas that need it most.
Our monitoring program is currently going through a significant uplift with the support of the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program to refine our data capture and analysis potential.
Currently, we’re working with the local community to share information on the safety of the cliff trail between Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club and Rocky Point in Torquay, where coastal erosion is impacting the cliff. This is just one example of how the latest geotechnical data is driving community-centred adaptation planning.
The Great Ocean Road region attracts a growing number of visitors each year, presenting a unique challenge: how to encourage sustainable visitation while preserving its unique identity.
Evidence-based decision-making will help guide the future development of the region’s visitation policies and strategies, aiming to strike a balance which delivers much-needed reinvestment locally and prioritises sustainable, responsible decisions over easy or popular ones.
The value of data in our daily lives extends far beyond the realms of technology and business; every aspect, from visitation patterns to car parking usage, to toilet maintenance and litter collection, is intrinsically tied to the data we gather and analyse.
The impact of a changing climate is perhaps the most pressing issues we face. Rising temperatures and sea levels, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events compel us to consider new ways to adapt and build resilience to protect our precious natural, community and cultural assets.
Evidence-based decision-making empowers us to anticipate, investigate and mitigate these impacts more effectively.
Our journey toward evidence-based decision-making is marked by the profound recognition of Traditional Owners’ wisdom.
The Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Peoples, the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters of the Great Ocean Road coast and parks for millennia, offer a unique perspective.
As the First Peoples of Country, their biocultural insights are invaluable, encompassing not only ecological aspects but also cultural, spiritual, and emotional connections to the land.
Importantly, the voices of locals and visitors play a significant role in our decision-making process.
This past year we’ve been deliberate in our efforts to bring together and listen to a wide range of diverse voices, building our collective knowledge of what’s important locally to develop a better understanding of our shared priorities.
This is a nuanced, yet distinct shift. We’re undoubtably better together, and our efforts to preserve this iconic stretch of Victorian coastline rests on the foundation of evidence-based decision-making.
Hand in hand with our communities, Traditional Owners, and stakeholders we’ll strive towards our vision with great purpose, leadership, and courage to make the right decisions for the future of the Great Ocean Road region and all who live and visit here.
Together, we can safeguard this iconic stretch of Victoria’s coastline and ensure it remains a place of significance that continues to captivate and inspire, not only all Australians but indeed the world.
There is another way.
Jodie Sizer, CEO