Great Ocean Road Event Closure Consultation

Published on 27 April 2020

Colac Otway Shire Council is encouraging the community, particularly local coastal residents and businesses, to have their say on a draft revision of the Great Ocean Road Event Closure Guidelines.

The Department of Transport has led the guidelines’ review, in partnership with Colac Otway Shire and Surf Coast Shire councils and Victoria Police.

The department is now seeking endorsement from partner agencies before seeking interest from organisers wanting to host large-scale events along the road from 2022 to 2024.

Council’s Development and Community Services General Manager Ian Seuren said Colac Otway had requested that the local community be consulted on the guidelines, ensuring that Apollo Bay and our other coastal and hinterland residents and businesses can have their say on closures before the event expression of interest process goes ahead.

“Council is disappointed that DoT’s delay with the review has resulted in a one-year extension for current events with permits to close the road, those being the Great Ocean Road Running Festival and the Gran Fondo,” he said.

 “Colac Otway Shire Council has told partner agencies that the one-year extension is not ideal considering Council’s and our community’s opposition to the Gran Fondo and its impact on our communities,” Mr Seuren said.

“However the review extension will help ensure that the communities along the Great Ocean Road get a say in road closures and there is a fair, open and competitive process for events wanting to close the road.

“Colac Otway Shire has recommended to the Department of Transport, Surf Coast Shire and the event organiser that the 2021 Gran Fondo not be held in Colac Otway Shire.

“Council will also write to the Minister for Transport requesting the 2021 Gran Fondo not be within our shire.”

The draft guidelines are available on Council’s website at https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-consultations/Great-Ocean-Road-Event-Closure-Guidelines

Consultation is open now until 5 June and interested residents and businesses should email their feedback to [email protected] or submit written feedback to Colac Otway Shire, PO Box 283, Colac, Vic, 3250.