Have your say on trail designs

Published on 01 June 2020

Corangamite Shire invites residents to have their say on detailed designs of the Timboon to Port Campbell section of the Twelve Apostles Trail.

The designs cover six different sections of the 19 kilometre trail – Power Creek; Timboon-Port Campbell Road; Timboon-Peterborough Road; North South Road; Curdievale-Port Campbell Road; and Port Campbell town centre.

They include maps, drawings and artist impressions of how the trail will look once completed. The designs are available online at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Council/Have-Your-Say/12ApostlesTrail

Mayor Neil Trotter said it was an exciting stage of the project.

“The Twelve Apostles Trail has been a priority for as long as I’ve been on this Council,” Cr Trotter said.

“I think residents are going to be really thrilled with the designs.”

He said Director Works and Services Brooke Love would work closely with adjoining landholders, community groups and members to encourage feedback.

“The trail runs past a lot of farmland on North South Road and Curdievale-Port Campbell Road, with rural vistas an important part of the experience.

“Every adjoining landholder should have received a pack in their mailbox with designs relevant to their property,” Cr Trotter added.

The designs contain two options for the trail as it enters the Port Campbell township and runs down main street Lord Street.

The first option involves a crossing at Lord Street near the police station to use the existing footpath on the eastern side near the arts space and tennis courts.

The second option sees the trail remain along the western side of Lord Street, with a crossing at the Lord / Morris Street roundabout.

Mayor Trotter said Council wanted to know which option residents preferred.

“We are interested to see what residents come back to us with, keeping in mind the vision for the town centre improvements that will link into this project.”

Residents have until Thursday 18 June to complete an online feedback form available at www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Council/Have-Your-Say/12ApostlesTrail

Coastal Ward Councillor Simon Illingworth said it was important now to keep momentum going on the project.

“This project has leap-frogged others because of its capacity to employ locals and use local materials during COVID-19,” he said.

“Feedback and decisions need to be expedited to fit the stimulus strategy and all locals seeking work opportunities should keep informed and buy the local papers.”

Clean up works are expected to begin next month, with construction expected to start during spring.

Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced $4.5 million towards the Twelve Apostles Trail Stage 1 – Timboon to Port Campbell in mid May.

Corangamite Shire has allocated $2.22 million for the trail in its 2020-2021 Budget.