New Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority draws further criticism

Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan said the state government's new Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will take money away from towns like Port Campbell and Princetown.

"The Princetown community earns almost $200,000 a year from its caravan park with that money reinvested into Princetown," he said.

"But guess what? That $200,000 will be ripped from Princetown and be put into the coffers of this new mega-bureaucracy that we don't know where it's going to be.

"That community is going to be left high and dry.

"This legislation has no provision for local input whatsoever."

Corangamite Shire Councillor Simon Illingworth said Mr Riordan's comments were muddying the debate.

"The Liberals promised us the same Great Ocean Road authority before losing the last election, now they're calling it a mega-bureaucracy and slamming Labor for it? This is why people get so pissed off with politicians," he said.

He wants the council to write to the state government highlighting the importance of the Princetown and Port Campbell recreation reserves to the local community.

"They need to acknowledge that the community is aghast that profits from camping fees are earmarked to be transferred into consolidated revenue of the authority to be spent elsewhere," he said.

"These facilities were set up, paid for, and maintained by the local community and all profits should be expended at the reserves.

"Generations of volunteer workers created these things and it's disappointing for the local people to find out all their hard work will now just be paying for a bureaucracy."

In response to Mr Riordan's claims, a DEWLP spokesman said the authority would in fact increase community input and ensure the authority works with locals on management plans.

"Funds raised by the authority will be invested back into the land it is responsible for - meaning more investment into local parks, visitor facilities and caravan parks along the Great Ocean Road," he said.

"These reforms are all about managing the environmental pressures the road is facing and ensuring that it continues to bring visitors to Victoria, while delivering benefits for local communities right across the region."

READ MORE:

Applications are now open for board positions for the new authority.

The board will have up to 12 members and include an independent chair, a nominee of each recognised Traditional Owner group in the region and independent, skill-based board members.

The authority will have its headquarters in Torquay, district offices in Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, and operational bases in other coastal towns along the road.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said the authority will protect the Great Ocean Road.

"Healthy coast and parks right along the Great Ocean Road are vital for local communities, supporting local jobs and growth," she said.

"We're protecting the iconic coasts, parks and scenic landscapes that make the Great Ocean Road such a popular and treasured part of Victoria."

Expressions of interest close August 2 and the board will commence work on December 1.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.