By Catherine Watson
AN ALLIANCE of Bass Coast community groups says the Yallock-Bulluk trail as proposed would put unacceptable pressure on fragile environments, with thousands of extra visitors a day predicted during peak periods.
The walking and cycling trail between San Remo and Inverloch was an election commitment of the Labor Government before the 2018 state election.
In April the State Government released a draft access and infrastructure plan for the trail by a Melbourne consultant company, Hassell.
In its submission on the draft report, the alliance is critical of a lack of genuine consultation in preparation of the plan.
AN ALLIANCE of Bass Coast community groups says the Yallock-Bulluk trail as proposed would put unacceptable pressure on fragile environments, with thousands of extra visitors a day predicted during peak periods.
The walking and cycling trail between San Remo and Inverloch was an election commitment of the Labor Government before the 2018 state election.
In April the State Government released a draft access and infrastructure plan for the trail by a Melbourne consultant company, Hassell.
In its submission on the draft report, the alliance is critical of a lack of genuine consultation in preparation of the plan.
“Our groups have found the process of the development of the plan disheartening. Consultation processes have been so broad-brushed and managed that we are left feeling unheard and disenfranchised.
“It has a number of errors in recording existing paths/infrastructure and inconsistencies within the document. Many of the errors would have been corrected on advice from local Parks Victoria staff or locals who are familiar with this area.”
“It has a number of errors in recording existing paths/infrastructure and inconsistencies within the document. Many of the errors would have been corrected on advice from local Parks Victoria staff or locals who are familiar with this area.”
| This includes labelling of several dangerous, unpatrolled beaches as “swimming beaches”, an apparent lack of awareness of “missing links” between existing reserves and tracks and an apparent ignorance of the conditions at various localities such as Harmers Haven and Williamsons. The alliance expresses concern at the impact of an extra 232,000 day visitors and 400,000 overnight visitors each year by 2035, as predicted in the plan. “It is important to note that visitors will not come at the same rate across the year and that during the busier months (Nov-April) there could be an additional 19,000 visitors/week. In addition, visitor numbers will also be higher on the weekends than during the week. “This could translate to an additional 4000 a day on weekends (allowing for 40 per cent of visitors coming on weekends which is a conservative estimate).” “The draft plan includes provision to increase parking by 113 spaces to a total of 657 spaces between San Remo and Inverloch. 113 spaces are not going to go far for 4000 additional visitors a day. | The Alliance The Yallock-Bulluk Coastal Alliance includes the following groups:
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“We acknowledge that transport/parking are wicked problems but we would argue that it is critical that we get better solutions in place before committing to a plan which attracts thousands more visitors. This issue is not solely a concern for residents of the area along the trail but will also detract from the visitor experience.”
The alliance is particularly concerned about the impact on fragile environments and threatened species where the trail comes onto the beaches.
“Beach walking between Kilcunda and Cape Paterson should not be promoted as part of this trail to ensure the survival of the vulnerable hooded plovers which nest along these beaches (and are currently at least partially protected by low visitation rates).”
“The threat to beach nesting birds could be reduced by removing ‘beach walking’ from the trail and ensuring that there is an attractive inland walking trail.”
The alliance points out the lack of public toilets, inadequate car parking and poor road access make Harmers Haven an unrealistic option as a trail head. “Introducing new facilities would irrevocably change the character of Harmers Haven and, ironically, detract from the experience of walking or cycling through the hamlet.
The Alliance states that the development of this trail seems to prioritise economic benefits and visitor experience over the protection of the environment. “The [plan] does not provide for a net gain in vegetation and is likely, in fact, to result in a decline in vegetation.”
The Alliance does back the draft plan in one aspect: the proposal to extend the rail trail inland as the preferred trail route between Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
However, it calls for further consideration of a one-way road/shared bike track/walking track along the coast road between Cape Paterson and Inverloch, as outlined in the draft plan, as well as other potential ideas such as the buyback of private land on the land side of the current road to enable the construction of a walking trail.
The alliance is particularly concerned about the impact on fragile environments and threatened species where the trail comes onto the beaches.
“Beach walking between Kilcunda and Cape Paterson should not be promoted as part of this trail to ensure the survival of the vulnerable hooded plovers which nest along these beaches (and are currently at least partially protected by low visitation rates).”
“The threat to beach nesting birds could be reduced by removing ‘beach walking’ from the trail and ensuring that there is an attractive inland walking trail.”
The alliance points out the lack of public toilets, inadequate car parking and poor road access make Harmers Haven an unrealistic option as a trail head. “Introducing new facilities would irrevocably change the character of Harmers Haven and, ironically, detract from the experience of walking or cycling through the hamlet.
The Alliance states that the development of this trail seems to prioritise economic benefits and visitor experience over the protection of the environment. “The [plan] does not provide for a net gain in vegetation and is likely, in fact, to result in a decline in vegetation.”
The Alliance does back the draft plan in one aspect: the proposal to extend the rail trail inland as the preferred trail route between Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
However, it calls for further consideration of a one-way road/shared bike track/walking track along the coast road between Cape Paterson and Inverloch, as outlined in the draft plan, as well as other potential ideas such as the buyback of private land on the land side of the current road to enable the construction of a walking trail.
Other points
- A creative transport plan (combining active and passive transport) needs to be developed to address the increased visitation rates during peak season.
- A shuttle bus service, in combination with park and ride stations outside the Park, needs to be integral to this trail and funded from the public purse. An effective service would contribute to making this trail truly ‘iconic’.
- Any proposal that threatened the hooded plover, listed as “vulnerable”, would need to be referred to the Federal Minister for the Environment and undergo an environmental assessment and approval process.
- Transport and parking around the trail is inadequate in the light of the anticipated visitation numbers.
- Camping/in-park accommodation is unnecessary as there is adequate accommodation in townships and potentially increased private accommodation adjacent to the Park.
- There are several critical missing links in the trail: between Potters Hill Road (San Remo) and Punchbowl, between Williamsons Beach carpark and the Wonthaggi Heathland; and between Harmers and Cape Paterson.
- Existing and proposed toilet facilities are inadequate for the increase in trail users.