13th Beach Trail

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The Committee has reviewed submissions received as part of the Planning Permit process for the construction of the Trail. As a result of matters raised within those submissions the Committee resolved at its meeting on 19th June 2007 to withdraw the planning permit application and to review a range of other options to provide safe access to the beaches on 13th Beach Rd for young cyclists with surfboards, walkers and recreational cyclists.

Media Release

Background

In May 2004 , Barwon Coast released its Trails Strategy Action Report . The report was developed by Parklinks P/L with the assistance of a community reference group and significant input from state and local government agencies.

At their final meeting the community reference group advised Barwon Coast of their priority issues within the Report and specifically advocated for an off road path along 13th Beach Road from Golf Links track to B.H. 13th Beach SLSC as a work priority for Barwon Coast particularly to improve the safety of young people accessing the beaches

The proposed 13th Beach Trail is a component of  the proposed "Round the Heads Trail" that is recognised as a significant opportunity with high community benefit within both the City of Greater Geelong's Bellarine Recreation and Leisure Needs Study 2005 and the Barwon Heads Urban Design Framework.
 
Subsequently Barwon Coast applied for and was successful in gaining a $200,000 grant towards the project funded by State Governments Small Towns Development Fund initiative through the Regional Development Victoria.
In announcing the grant in June 2005, local MP Michael Crutchfield said that the   "pathway forms Stage one of the Trail around Barwon Heads that will link a number of existing beach access points with a safe cycling and walking track ".

Since the announcement of the grant we have been working with our consultant in the preparation of a report on Flora Survey and Flora Management for the shared trail at 13th Beach between 30W and 34W

From that report we have prepared our 10 year Vegetation Management Plan for the area that includes vegetation rehabilitation in accord with State Government policy (Net Gain offsets)

Other consultants were engaged to undertake a review of Pedestrian and Cycling safety and the development of options to improve safety on 13th Beach Rd,

The City  placed the Planning Permit application on public display until 29th April 2007 and all documentation lodged with the Planning Permit application can be viewed at the City of Greater Geelong offices at 131 Myers St Geelong or at the Customer Service Centre in Presidents Ave, Ocean Grove.  Notices for the application of the Planning Permit were placed at 3 beach access points along 13th Beach Rd as required by the City.

On 5th March 2007 Barwon Coast lodged an application with the Department of Sustainability and Environment for Coastal Management Act consent for the construction of the 13th Beach trail (shared walking / cycling pathway)along 13th Beach Road from Golf Links track to 13th Beach SLSC and simultaneously applied to the City of Greater Geelong for a Planning Permit to clear native vegetation on the ocean side of 13th Beach Rd to enable construction of the trail

View a copy of our Trail  Overview document

 

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