Trees get chop in camp work

Alex de Vos
Angry campers have slammed Surf Coast’s foreshore management for chopping down trees as part of a Torquay Caravan Park upgrade.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee starting clearing the trees this week to make way for casual campers on formerly permanent sites adjoining a beachfront car park.
Camper Helen Puddy said the tree removals would leave sites without protection from the Sun and weather.
“They’ve stripped all the vegetation from the area and told us they’re going to replant but it’s very hard to grow things there – I’ve tried it myself,” Ms Puddy said.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s David Clarke said the trees would be replaced with native species.
“We’ve cleared one small area of exotic species that were planted over the years by us and the campers,” Mr Clarke said.
“It’s all part of the park upgrade.”
The Independent revealed last month that 21 families would lose long-held beachfront campsites under the revised plans. The families were additional to seven other site holders told last year that they would lose their permanent titles.
Great Ocean Coast Committee chairman Peter Anderson said the campers would be relocated to “alternative sites” before summer.
“GORCC has worked hard in recent weeks to inform affected campers and provide alternate sites,” Mr Anderson said.