The famed George Bass walk will be extended to Inverloch. Photo: Catherine Watson
CONSULTATION will start within a few months on the boundary of the $19.6 million Bass Coast Coastal Park and George Bass Coastal Walk.
The expanded park, an election commitment of the Andrews Labor Government, will link the existing Bunurong Marine Park and Bunurong Coastal Reserve, Punchbowl Reserve and the Kilcunda-Harmers Haven Coastal Reserve along 40 kms of coastline.
The expanded park, an election commitment of the Andrews Labor Government, will link the existing Bunurong Marine Park and Bunurong Coastal Reserve, Punchbowl Reserve and the Kilcunda-Harmers Haven Coastal Reserve along 40 kms of coastline.
Plans include an extension of the famed George Bass Coastal Walk to Inverloch and opening up the area to campers for the first time.
New Bass Labor MP Jordan Crugnale said the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria were developing a project plan with clear timelines and milestones to engage stakeholders and the community.
“This will guide the project and ensure traditional owners, stakeholders and community are heard and are at the table,” Ms Crugnale said. “They have so much local knowledge about this coastline, its richness and sensitivities.
“We will also work with the local traditional owner groups to determine the most appropriate name for the coastal park. In the meantime it will be referred to as a very neutral Bass Coast Marine and Coastal Park.”
She said the consultation process was expected to start by mid-2019.
New Bass Labor MP Jordan Crugnale said the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria were developing a project plan with clear timelines and milestones to engage stakeholders and the community.
“This will guide the project and ensure traditional owners, stakeholders and community are heard and are at the table,” Ms Crugnale said. “They have so much local knowledge about this coastline, its richness and sensitivities.
“We will also work with the local traditional owner groups to determine the most appropriate name for the coastal park. In the meantime it will be referred to as a very neutral Bass Coast Marine and Coastal Park.”
She said the consultation process was expected to start by mid-2019.
The proposed Bass Coast Marine and Coastal Park is defined by a red line boundary with horizontal lines. The final park boundary will be determined via public consultation and detailed planning processes. The ma] does not include any freehold land that may need to be acquired to create the park.