Surf Coast Walk
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A Coastal Walk all the way from Torquay to Lorne?
Coastal authorities are investigating the possibility of extending the Surf Coast Walk all the way from Torquay through to Lorne.
Popular walking track are currently located along sections of the coast, notably from Torquay to
Surf Coast Mayor, Cr Rose Hodge said the Council had a strong commitment to providing recreational facilities that helped to promote physical activity.
“This is an exciting project for the Surf Coast Shire which builds on the recently completed Pathways Strategy,” she said.
“Walking has been identified as the activity with the highest participation by residents for fun, fitness or casual enjoyment.”
“The Surf Coast Walk also has the potential to be significant tourism attractor in its own right and provide economic benefit to the townships along the route.”
Cr Hodge praised the shared approach being taken on the project and the work of the officers in making it happen.
“This is another example of a positive partnership being used to further coastal management outcomes,” she said.
Executive officer of the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, David Clarke, said the development of a continuous coastal walk from Torquay to Lorne has been a long held community ambition.
“However it is a complex issue involving sensitive environmental areas and potentially crossing a number of different land management boundaries,” Mr Clarke explained.
“The Surf Coast Shire Council and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, along with other key stakeholders including Surf Coast Tourism, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and Alcoa, are working co-operatively to help address these issues and realise this long-standing ambition.”
A feasibility study explored the issues, constraints, opportunities and directions required to establish a continuous walking trail along the entire Shire coastline.
Issues such as improvements to existing walking tracks and possible routes to extend the walk have been considered, along with how to optimise potential economic, social and environmental benefits from the walk.