Ocean Grove’s summer squeeze Tourist influx warning

Jessica Benton
A BUMPER tourist season at Ocean Grove serves as a warning to City of Greater Geelong to plan for future growth of the town, its community association said.
Thousands of tourists flocked to the coastal town during the holiday period, adding to the already expanding permanent residential population.
Association president Michael Harbour said Ocean Grove was fast becoming the “hub” of the Bellarine Peninsula.
“Ocean Grove is a designated hub for the Surf Coast, with both permanent and temporary residents choosing the town as a place to live and visit,” he said.
“As well as the 10,000 to 12,000 extra people who visit over summer, the permanent population is growing too.”
According to the 2006 Census, Ocean Grove’s population had risen from 10,312 in 2001 to 11,278 in 2006.
Mr Harbour said the population growth needed to be considered in future planning of the town.
“We understand Ocean Grove is a tourist destination, it has been and always will be,” he said.
“However, we do say council needs to take this into consideration when they are planning for future development and infrastructure for the town, so it caters for the additional 10,000 to 12,000 people over the summer period.
City of Greater Geelong councillor Jan Farrell said council and Geelong Otway Tourism had predicted the high summer influx and council was planning for the growth of the town.
“It was predicted this summer would be one of the best seasons for a long time,” she said.
“Holidays down the beach have become more viable because of the fantastic weather conditions and the rising costs of petrol and airfares.
“Council just completed and adopted Ocean Grove’s structure plan for the next 15 years,” she said.
“As part of the long-term solution, the plan proposes to extend town boundaries to allow for about another 10,000 people, as well as provide space for another primary school, two sports ovals, another shopping centre and expansion of the industrial estate to the east.
“In the short-term, we have tried to alleviate some of the parking issues by providing a shuttle bus and construction has begun on two new bus shelters.”
Cr Farrell said Ocean Grove was not only servicing local residents and tourists but people from all over the Bellarine Peninsula.
“With a permanent population of 11,000, Ocean Grove is not a small town and it services much of the neighbouring towns,” she said.
“There are about 45,000 people on the peninsula and Ocean Grove provides for towns such as Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff that don’t have the same facilities and services.”