New Port Campbell Plan restores parkland at Twelve Apostles

The State Government will provide $2.9 million to implement the Final Management Plan for Port Campbell National Park.

The Plan, which includes the Port Campbell and Bay of Islands Coastal Parks, was launched by the Minister for Conservation and Land Management, Mrs Tehan, on September 30.
 
This Management Plan provides the strategic framework for the management of the parks to ensure protection and enhancement of the diverse environments and natural and cultural assets.  The majority of the park is proposed to be zoned conservation.

A site plan for facilities on private land, adjacent to the Twelve Apostles, has been developed and the lease has been finalised. The proposal is to establish toilet facilities, a sheltered display area, orientation signage and carparking. The current carpark at the Twelve Apostles will be returned to parkland. Car parking at other key visitor sites also will be relocated away from the fragile coast.

Minister Tehan said the Management Plan also proposes a major Tourist Centre in the township of Port Campbell itself.

"This centre would be an attraction in its own right, complementing the natural tourist attractions across the region. The plan proposes the Centre would be located on one of five alternative Government owned sites in or near the town. It would be up to the private sector to develop a formal proposal for one of the preferred sites which is environmentally sound and generates real economic benefits to the local community and region, as well as an outstanding service to visitors and tourists," Mrs Tehan said.

Walking opportunities will also be increased under the Plan, with the section of the Great Ocean Walk between Princetown and Port Campbell constructed, and the Clifftop Walk in the Bay of Islands Coastal Park completed.

The Bay of Islands Coastal Park west of Boat Bay will be managed mainly to provide experiences of a semi-remote coastal setting.

(News Release, Minister for Conservation and Land Management, September 30, 1998)