Trail ”of destruction”

Andrew Mathieson
A PROPOSED walking trail along Barwon Heads’ 13th Beach has sparked fears of environmental damage to sand dunes.
Barwon Coast Committee of Management has lodged an application to construct a boardwalk requiring removal of native vegetation on the ocean side of 13th Beach Road.
Geelong Environment Council has lodged its own submission against the plan.
The committee’s application to City of Greater Geelong and Department of Sustainability and Environment is for a shared walking and cycling pathway.
Part of the Round the Heads trail would run between a golf links track and 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Barwon Coast general manager Bob Jordan believed the boardwalk was a proactive approach to coastal management.
“We certainly believe in the project,” Mr Jordan said.
“We’ve put a very strong case in relation to the permit.
“Part of that is we’ve also provided a report on a 10year vegetation management plan.”
The committee had implemented the plan two years prior to lodging its submission, he said.
Environment council president Joan Lindros said the plan would not adequately replace vegetation protected under state legislation. Vegetation was important to protect the sand dunes from erosion, she said.
“The effect of clearing vegetation off the dunes, because it takes years and years for those dunes to vegetate, is really damaging,” she said.
“It’s a really difficult area to stabilise the sand, as it’s prone to impact from the ocean.”
Barwon Coast released its trail strategy action report in May, 2004, following consultation feedback from a community reference group and both levels of government.
A State Government small towns development fund initiative issued a $200,000 grant in June, 2005, for the project, estimated to cost around $420,000.
The community reference group had advocated an “offroad path” along 13th Beach Road and instigated a trial strategy.
But Ms Lindros claimed public opinion since had been against the boardwalk.
“Some of Barwon Coast committee is opposed to it and so they should be,” she said.
Barwon Coast Committee of Management administers the coastline from Collendina to west of 13th Beach.