Port Campbell viewing decks criticized by the locals

Last month Youunis launched a petition asking the advice to remove the wooden balustrade panels and replace it with something that does not hinder the views on the bay.

He said the petition received more than 1400 signatures. At the census of 2021, the population of Port Campbell and its immediately surrounding areas were 440.

Youunis said that the Council made some changes, including the replacement of a section of wooden balustrades with the threads. In some places, the height of the wooden walls has been slightly lowered.

Port Campbell, a popular destination for the holidays, is a short distance from the dramatic geological formations of the twelve apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

Youunis said that residents and visitors had previously been able to enjoy views from their cars to the pines of the island of Norfolk, who was ideal for people with limited mobility or during wild time.

The owner of Port Campbell Cafe Maria Gordon said that the deck design should have been left more open.

“People come to a village on the sea for the sight,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be closed.”

The Corangameite Shire Council has contributed with financing and design and construction works for the revitalization of Port Campbell. State and federal governments also kicked in funding for the project. It is part of the Masterplan of the shipwrecked coast, which provides for a series of rejuvenation projects in the cities along the Great Ocean Road.

The mayor of CoraganaMite Shire Kate Makin said that the spectacular views from the bridges were a few meters from the path. He said that waiting bridges and picnics came directly from a co-planning process with the community.

“The winds have been mentioned specifically, so people could enjoy sight all year round, from the southern winds in the wildest months,” he said.

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The Council stated that the cost for the revitalization project of the Center of Port Campbell reached $ 15.6 million, with $ 5.6 million from the Federal Government and $ 6 million from the State.

Makin said that funding from the state and federal governments were granted on the basis of the design delivered by the Council. “The main design changes would have been in violation of the financing conditions and regulatory approvals.”

But Youunis said that the project was up to a key principle in the general plan of the shipwreck coast: “If the premises love it, visitors will also do it”.

This problem could have some influence on the next federal elections despite its local hyper nature. Port Campbell is located in Wannon’s Western Victorian Victorian headquarters. In the 2022 elections, sitting the liberal deputy Dan Tehan and his main challenger, the independent candidate Alex Dyson, received 97 votes each in the electoral station of the small town.

Tehan said that the residents raised the problem with him and that he would meet them on Sunday to discuss their concerns and which courses of action were available.

Dyson said he had been to Port Campbell and spoke with the locals “several times” in the last month.

“I know that this huge project was challenging for everyone – clubs, visitors, contractors and advice – but above all local,” he said.