Corangamite Shire has floated a third preferred option for the Twelve Apostles Trail route into Port Campbell.
The new proposal involves an ‘end point’ on the grassed section opposite the former Mobil fuel station site near the Lord Street entrance to town.
Cyclists can continue down Lord Street via a cycling lane, while walkers will be able to walk along the footpath on the east side of Lord Street.
Under this proposal traffic into Port Campbell would be slowed to 40 km/h, with a crossing in front of Portside Motel.
Corangamite Shire Director Works and Services Brooke Love said Council had come up with an alternative after community feedback from the first round of consultation.
“We received a lot of constructive feedback and met with residents after the community survey,” Mrs Love said.
“It became apparent that there is no perfect solution right now. The favoured Lord Street west-side option will run into difficulties once coaches are parked in this area because of the town centre upgrade.
“This third option is a compromise that takes into account the wide range of views and parameters around the project.”
Mrs Love thanked residents who got involved and contributed local insights and expertise.
“We heard loud and clear that residents believe the best option for the trail to enter Port Campbell is via the suspension bridge and western escarpment of Campbells Creek.
“Council will continue to pursue this option with land manager Parks Victoria as an add-on loop to the trail,” she added.
Council received 67 responses to an online survey, with 66% preferring the trail to run off-road down the west side of Lord Street (in front of the Police Station).
Thirty-four percent preferred the ‘Copenhagen’ style on-road trail down the east side of Lord Street (in front of the Arts Space). Feedback pointed to issues with loss of parking in front of the Arts Space.
More than 50% of respondents supported a speed limit reduction on Lord Street.
Mrs Love said Council wanted to see how the broader community felt about the third option for the trail to enter Port Campbell.
Option 3 details are available online at Members of the community are welcome to complete a feedback form over the next two weeks. Feedback will close Thursday 6 August.
Coastal Ward Councillor Simon Illingworth thanked residents for their input and patience.
“It is abundantly clear there needs to be a path that links the suspension bridge with the trail – Council has already put work into achieving this,” he said.
“Ideally, that link will connect to the trail as well as – not instead of – the current trail.
“Once the connector is fully established there will be a wetlands loop that should cater for all abilities so that no one finds themselves coming to a dead end.”
Cr Illingworth said there were issues around the suspension bridge being the only access point to the trail.
“It would be chaotic in summer – imagine 20 cyclist’s cars parked at the beach all day, every day?
“That could be catastrophic for Port Campbell’s beach goers, congestion and businesses,” he said.
“It is imperative that this current section of the trail into Port is constructed now, to ensure we deliver on the COVID-19 funding.
“Then we can continue to advocate for the loop from the suspension bridge that everyone desperately wants,” Cr Illingworth added.
