BASS Coast Shire Council has rescinded its previous decision to make part of Surf Parade one-way and will now progress the design of a two-way option for the final stage of the Surf Parade Shared Path in Inverloch.
Following community feedback through surveys, public submissions and the Committee of Council process, Council will investigate a two-way design that includes car parking bays while progressing the missing link in the shared path network.
Following community feedback through surveys, public submissions and the Committee of Council process, Council will investigate a two-way design that includes car parking bays while progressing the missing link in the shared path network.
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Mayor Brett Tessari confessed he was the one who had originally moved the motion to go one way, but accepted the decision.
"We've listened to the feedback provided through our surveys and submissions to the Committee of Council. We heard clearly that the community does not want part of Surf Parade to become a one-way road. "I won't ever move a one-way road again!" The council received 179 submissions on the one-way proposal for Surf Parade, with 91 per cent opposing the proposal, and a community petition of 772 signatures. The biggest concern raised was the impact on surrounding residential streets. |
Inverloch path back on track
Feb 18, 2026 – Long-awaited path closer as council moves to make a section of Surf Parade one way. Rethinking Surf Parade March 31, 2026 - Four locals take on the challenge. Have they cracked it? By Glenn Morris |
At Wednesday's council meeting, councillors also resolved to progress to the next stage of the shared path using savings from the Inverloch-Wonthaggi Trail project.
The 2026-27 council budget, adopted at Wednesday's meeting, allocates $1.2 million to the shared pathway, which will connect with the new Inverloch-Wonthaggi pathway.
Cr Tessari said he understood the community's frustration and the importance of completing the connection.
"Our community overwhelmingly supports the construction of this path. We now have an opportunity to use existing grant funding to complete this missing link and connect the trail to the existing shared path network," he said.
Council will now commence the design of the two-way option and undertake further investigation and direct consultation with affected residents and stakeholders before officers present a report to council by the September meeting.
To meet external funding requirements, construction of the shared path must be completed by June 2027.
"People have been waiting a long time to see this path completed," Cr Tessari said “We've listened to the feedback and now it's about getting on with the job and delivering a solution that works for the community
The investigation will include concept designs proposed by Inverloch residents Jim Higgs and Glenn Morris based on a two-way road width of 5.5 metres and carparking width of 2.1 metres.
Glenn Morris welcomed the council’s turnaround but said he would like to see acceptance of the design standards proposed in that design.
“Our design has been signed off by an independent road safety auditor and we think they could sign off on that now.
“If the council is still talking a 6-metre carriageway and 2.5 metre parking width that means they’re building 900mm further north with all the complications and added expenses.”
He said it was also important that the entire design for pathway, carparking and two-way road be completed before work started on building the path.
Michelle Gardiner who presented the community petition, said she was relieved the one-way proposal had been dumped.
However, she said she was not sure exactly what the council had committed to. “Is it just a plan to make a plan?”
The impasse on the final stage of the shared pathway goes all the way back to 2015 when councillors first queried whether it was wise to proceed given the obvious impact of coastal erosion.
The 2026-27 council budget, adopted at Wednesday's meeting, allocates $1.2 million to the shared pathway, which will connect with the new Inverloch-Wonthaggi pathway.
Cr Tessari said he understood the community's frustration and the importance of completing the connection.
"Our community overwhelmingly supports the construction of this path. We now have an opportunity to use existing grant funding to complete this missing link and connect the trail to the existing shared path network," he said.
Council will now commence the design of the two-way option and undertake further investigation and direct consultation with affected residents and stakeholders before officers present a report to council by the September meeting.
To meet external funding requirements, construction of the shared path must be completed by June 2027.
"People have been waiting a long time to see this path completed," Cr Tessari said “We've listened to the feedback and now it's about getting on with the job and delivering a solution that works for the community
The investigation will include concept designs proposed by Inverloch residents Jim Higgs and Glenn Morris based on a two-way road width of 5.5 metres and carparking width of 2.1 metres.
Glenn Morris welcomed the council’s turnaround but said he would like to see acceptance of the design standards proposed in that design.
“Our design has been signed off by an independent road safety auditor and we think they could sign off on that now.
“If the council is still talking a 6-metre carriageway and 2.5 metre parking width that means they’re building 900mm further north with all the complications and added expenses.”
He said it was also important that the entire design for pathway, carparking and two-way road be completed before work started on building the path.
Michelle Gardiner who presented the community petition, said she was relieved the one-way proposal had been dumped.
However, she said she was not sure exactly what the council had committed to. “Is it just a plan to make a plan?”
The impasse on the final stage of the shared pathway goes all the way back to 2015 when councillors first queried whether it was wise to proceed given the obvious impact of coastal erosion.
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