A consultation process into a new Great Ocean Road action plan has been called a "farce", among fears a new management authority could allow development in protected areas along its path.
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Over the past few weeks state government consultations have been held across the Great Ocean Road, including in Port Campbell, Timboon, Warrnambool and Colac.
The "community conversation" process has been described a farce by community members.
Questions asked during the consultation process include: "What you love most about the Great Ocean Road?", "What you love most?" about your area or town, and a short paragraph or story "... that describes your aspirations for the future of the Great Ocean Road".
Secretary of the Port Campbell Community Group Marion Manifold said the group is concerned that there has been little to no consultation on a new government body, called the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, being set up to manage the 243 kilometres of public land between Allansford and Torquay.
"What (the) consultation has lacked was information on what powers this proposed authority would have. To us it's basically an unexplained authority," Ms Manifold said.
"We haven't been told its job description, how it will function, who will nominate the board and how it would run.
"One of the people running it told us it was supposed to be a one-stop shop for management, but to us it seems to be safety in having various management bodies.
"They say it's supposed to be an independent authority, but independent of what? The powers are unknown and really concerning."
The state budget has allocated $1.6 million to set up the authority over two years.
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The state budget has allocated $1.6 million to set up the authority over two years.
Advertising material for the Great Ocean Road coast and parks authority touts it as a "new, dedicated, parks authority" made up of a "skill-based board and independent chair" to manage the coastal crown land and marine waters along the road.
Victorian National Parks Association spokesman Phil Ingamells said the conservation group fears the authority duplicates the role of Parks Victoria and could override national park guidelines, allowing development in protected areas.
"It seems an odd thing to do, to manage the current state government park agency with another state government agency," Mr Ingamells said.
"More importantly for us, we cannot get an answer as to why, what is the problem with the authority that is currently in place?
"The Great Ocean Road and all the scenery has remained protected because of all these national parks, I can't see why you would want to override that.
"We see this as setting a very dangerous precedent for the rest of the state."
We are concerned that there needs to be local input on that body and for local government to play a role.
- Corangamite mayor Neil Trotter
Corangamite Shire mayor Neil Trotter said the council backed the authority when it was initially proposed last year.
He said the Great Ocean Road is managed by so many different agencies that one governing body was the best solution.
"There's quite a lot of agencies that oversee the Great Ocean Road, not just Parks Victoria," Cr Trotter said.
"It's early days, we're yet to see the full makeup of the body, but we understand that largely skills-based directors will be on it.
"It's not to say we don't have our concerns with it, but we've been in support of removing red tape across the coast and for a more coordinated approach to the planning and provision of funding for improvements over time.
"We are concerned that there needs to be local input on that body and for local government to play a role."
He said the number of small reserves and management groups along the coast makes planning a "more complicated" procedure.
A state government spokeswoman did not confirm or deny whether the new authority would override national park guidelines when asked by The Standard, and instead said Parks Victoria is working with DELWP around 'how to ensure a smooth transition to the new authority'.
She also said details around roles, responsibilities and funding, which includes 'which parts of national parks will transfer to the authority' will be worked on over the next few months.
"The new authority is about protecting the rugged coastline, national parks and pristine environment of the Great Ocean Road," the spokeswoman said.
"It is the product of extensive consultation with the local community about the best way to support tourism, jobs and business along the Great Ocean Road, while protecting the natural beauty of this region."
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