This consultation is now closed and the project is underway. You can find out more at https://www.shipwreckcoast.vic.gov.au/
Parks Victoria wishes to thank participants who generously shared their time, research, values and ideas through this engagement process.
Engagement Summary report
A report of the engagement results, Engagement Summary Report – Shipwreck Coast Master Plan – Stage One July 2018, is available to download from the document library.
The Engagement Summary Report presents the broad range of values, ideas and aspirations provided by community members and stakeholders during the engagement period, from May to June 2018. The feedback has been collated and categorised, to understand topics, themes, demographics and levels of support using both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques.
Community members were encouraged to review the designs and provide feedback from online and face-to-face engagement activities. The project team will consider the findings from this report during the schematic design stage.
Overview
Parks Victoria is working with the Victorian Government to deliver the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, which is a comprehensive program to protect the coast and improve visitor opportunities, highlighting the importance of the region for Victoria’s tourism economy.
Stage One consists of a series of projects funded for $9.8 million, including three infrastructure projects within Port Campbell National Park and a digital upgrade at the Twelve Apostles. The projects include new world class lookouts at the Twelve Apostles Saddle and the Blowhole within the Loch Ard Precinct, as well as a new pedestrian bridge over Port Campbell Creek in the Port Campbell township.
Parks Victoria has been working in close association with project partners including local and state government, as well as the Traditional Owners, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, to develop the three projects.
Through an extensive Request for Tender process, Parks Victoria appointed architects Denton Corker Marshall (in partnership with landscape architects McGregor Coxall and Arup) to design the three infrastructure projects.
Each site has undergone significant technical investigations to understand the geological, environmental and cultural heritage opportunities and constraints. These have directly informed the development of each design and further information can be found in the fact sheets.
Parks Victoria sought feedback on elements of the concept designs which includes the following infrastructure.
The Saddle Lookout
Perched on the limestone saddle, this new lookout aims to provide an unforgettable visitor experience by unveiling a spectacular view of the iconic Twelve Apostles. The proposed Saddle Lookout is two long rectangular black and white blocks with one resting on the saddle and the other cantilevered towards the sky. The view is hidden when visitors enter and as they continue through the lookout, the view of the coastline is revealed.
The design has been informed through engagement with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal community and the lookout's situation, forms and expression are designed to be a contemporary reflection of cultural heritage.
The new lookout will be complemented by a one-way circuit loop walking track with rest stops. The track will be shrouded in vegetation, meaning visitors are more protected from the weather and can enjoy an intimate experience, focussing on the native flora of the area and cultural heritage.
In order to construct the new Saddle Lookout, the Castle Rock Lookout will be removed and the area revegetated.
The Blowhole Lookout
Located in the Loch Ard precinct, the Blowhole Lookout is designed to provide a new visitor experience, respecting the environmental and cultural characteristics of this tucked away site nestled amongst native vegetation. The lookout is subsumed into the landscape and curves around the edge of the blowhole.
Improved access tracks aim to conceal and reveal views so visitors experience the blowhole and native vegetation from a range of locations and perspectives.
The Port Campbell Creek Pedestrian Bridge
The new suspension bridge will provide a walking connection over Port Campbell Creek. It is designed to have minimal visual and physical impact, using materials that blend into the natural landscape. The wire cabling of the bridge maximises uninterrupted views along the creek.
The pedestrian bridge will connect a new boardwalk path on the Port Campbell township side that wraps around the dunes to the Port Campbell foreshore. The boardwalk will have resting points for users to sit and enjoy the view.
The bridge will facilitate a year round connection from Port Campbell to the Discovery Trail and Port Campbell National Park.
Acknowledgement
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Eastern Maar Peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country through which the Shipwreck Coast travels.
We pay our respects to their ancestors and Elders, past and present.
We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship to their traditional lands, which continue to be important to them today.