Community air concerns over new Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority

It's arguably the hidden gem of the Great Ocean Road, nestled in stunning wetlands just 10 minutes from the bustling Twelve Apostles.

Third and even fourth generation families have been making the annual summer pilgrimage to the Princetown Recreation Reserve for decades.

It's simplicity is its appeal: under the warm summer sun children leap into the cool, wide waters of the Gellibrand River from the Old Coach Road bridge while dads watch on from the small wooden pier with their fishing rods.

A snaking path with towering bush on either side leads to a stunning limestone cliff face where the river meets the wild ocean.

Youth float lazily on the river under the cool reprieve of the cliff's shadow with a drink in hand.

A young family and their baby splash in the safety of the shallows.

Camping at the recreation reserve is inexpensive and low key, the family pet is allowed as long as it's on a lead and volunteers are always there to lend a fire drum and kindling.

But that could all change from December this year with the state government set to scrap all community committees of management and replace them with one corporate body, called the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

READ MORE: Concerns held over new Great Ocean Road authority

Mr Blain is the president of the recreation reserve committee and fears for the future of the site.

"The whole process has been a dog's breakfast and the community want nothing to do with it," he said.

"We've been looking after the reserve after it was given to the people by the governor 100 years ago and it's been volunteer run since then.

"My first question is will the revenue go back to the authority instead of staying in the area and being put back into local projects.

"This is the closest camping ground to the Twelve Apostles, you don't have to be a philosopher to work out the cost of camping will go up.

"Generations of campers have been coming here for years and the general consensus is they and the community want it to remain as it's been and keep it affordable for families."

The first Mr Blain heard of the authority was when he received a call saying they were being taken over without consultation.

It's the same story for Michael Walsh, president of the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve.

"I know the first inkling we had was when a survey company rings us up asking question about the reserve and our bank balance," Mr Walsh said.

"Everything we do as a volunteer committee, every cent we make, goes back to the township. They're not going to be a volunteer committee and therefore it stands to reason not every cent raised will go back into the community.

"No-one seems to know the full story."

Mr Walsh wants to see the pristine site unspoiled.

"We're a small campground with no cabins, it gives people an option to go somewhere that's quiet, ambient and a lot cheaper," he said.

"It's beautiful there, people love it. It could be detrimental to Port Campbell if all of a sudden people have to spend more on camping and less in the town."

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A Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning spokesman said the authority will deliver a more strategic and coherent response to the pressures the Great Ocean Road is facing from increasing visitors numbers and environmental change.

"These reforms simplify complex and duplicated management arrangements that have been a major inhibitor of economic development for local communities," the spokesman said.

"DELWP recognises the important role local community volunteers have played managing public land in some areas, and is committed to ensuring they will continue to be involved once the authority is established.

"In fact, the reforms, once enacted, will enshrine in legislation an obligation for the authority to engage with local communities in the development of local policies and plans of land management, and to report on the outcomes of that engagement."

He said no decision has been made regarding a funding model for the authority, but a key consideration will be to ensure staying at caravan parks and campgrounds along the Road continues to be affordable.

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