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The project will enhance connectivity between the Cowes foreshore and the township.


​COWES will be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly township that fully embraces its historic foreshore, with $8 million in new Federal Government funding announced today for the council’s Cowes Foreshore Precinct project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, Catherine King, was in Cowes this morning to make the announcement.
Approved through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, it follows many years of community engagement and consultation through the development of the Cowes Activity Centre Plan in 2015 and the Cowes Streetscape Master Plan in 2022.

The project will enhance connectivity between the township and the foreshore, providing improved pedestrian safety, accessibility, and amenities in the section of Thompson Avenue from Chapel Street to the Foreshore and the Esplanade.

It will also support further commercial activity within the precinct, strengthening Cowes as a vibrant place to experience Phillip Island’s unique hospitality, shopping, and community life.
Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Greg Box said works will complement recent council and private investment, including the Jetty Triangle upgrades, transit centre, Berninneit and the $130 million Isle of Wight accommodation and retail development.

“The investment will create a destination that creates a vibrant neighbourhood for the Phillip Island community and appeals to visitors year-round, encouraging longer stays and increased spending.

“The Cowes Streetscape Master Plan project has been discussed and planned for more than 10 years, so it is exciting to finally see the community’s ideas to make Cowes great come to life.

“Cowes is a jewel in the Victorian and Bass Coast regional crown, and this project will ensure it continues to shine for future generations of locals and tourists to enjoy.”

Mr Box said the profile of Cowes had never been higher, referencing the exposure Phillip Island has received through the TV renovation series The Block, which has showcased Cowes to millions of Australians and overseas viewers. ​
6 Comments

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Ian samuel - 1 year ago
The priority for cowes is the development of the chadwick reserve on the corner of phillip island and ventnor roads not the planned development of thompson avenue as a oneway street
The thompson ave development has reduced and ignored pff season resident parking demand
The cowes football ground is a disgrace totally inadequate for the sport loving ypung population of phillip island
Chadwick reserve was repurchased by council specifically for the anticipated need for increased sporting facilities and should be the priority
Diverting the grant to Chadwick reserve is common sense often lost in grandiose plans
Tim Shannon - 1 year ago
Success has many fathers and failure has none, so someone said; it was the formation of the Cowes Community Community when Peter Paul was Mayor some 15 or so years ago that opened the way to this process of caring for the future planning and design of the Cowes township. It took four years of effort to bring the Council and its community to agree on the need for a proper process to underpin the master planning and development the confidence needed in Government to fund the work, which has been making its quiet and successful process ever since. Someone else said that life is what happens while you make plans. The current custodians of this journey owe a debt to the volunteers of Cowes Community Committee and the responsible Council officers of the time. It is a great comfort to know that the future of Cowes will be cared for with great consideration.
Grazyna - 1 year ago
This is the worst idea ever! "Following many years of community engagement " and ignoring residents' comments, to favour only tourism and developers, the planned restriction of vehicles and serious reduction in parking spaces and huge new developments will NOT benefit the community. Phillip Island has a large elderly and aging population as well as many young families and a steep hill in the main street. Does Council seriously expect elderly residents, or women with kids and prams to walk this "pedestrian friendly" shopping strip to go to the chemist or shops? Fingers crossed the new Island Ward Councillors can work to stop this ill-planned waste of ratepayers and taxpayers money and consider the wishes of residents for a change.
ian samuel - 1 year ago
Tim’s comments are noted. Unfortunately the Master Plan took too many years to implement and does not acknowledge the rapid change in our community with its demand for sporting facilities to support the younger residential population.
The Cowes Makeover has many good tourist attributes, but the drastic “permanent” reduction in Parking In Thompson Ave between Chapel str and the Esplanade is of major concern to residents, particularly the elder residents.
Planning priorities need to provide a balance between both off season permanent residential services and seasonal tourist demand.
With vision, this can be achieved by modifying the “Thompson Avenue Make Over” to be a temporary Tourist seasonal change, with less drastic parking losses.
Barb Moje - 1 year ago
Bring it on, I am tired of cars everywhere!
Bernie McComb - 1 year ago
Yes bring it on. Based on much 2015 plan consultation with Community this what most residents want. For any small township like COWES surely we need to keep cars OUT!

Make park-and-ride at corner of proposed Rec Reserve with Ebus shuttle non-stop back and forth to Chapel St. Joylong Ebus, like lwb HiAce 14 seats $100k drive away. Too easy.

How about smart phone app shared mobility scooters for steep hill? Obvious not perfect but problem not fixable by more cars.