Survey over climate risk for campers at two parks

MICHELLE HERBISON
A SURVEY of campers at two Bellarine Peninsula caravan parks will help prepare the facilities for climate change, according to a Victorian coastal management body.
Western Coastal Board’s Sue Mudford said the survey would ask 100 campers why they visited Barwon Heads caravan and Portarlington holiday parks to determine the facilities’ “economic and social value”.
The survey would also collect data from camping grounds at Apollo Bay, Warrnambool and Port Fairy until the end of January, she said.
“It will be very helpful for park managers to find out who their clients are. Do they come to go surfing, to catch up with friends or because it’s an affordable holiday?”
Ms Mudford said the survey would also interview 100 residents living around each of the parks.
“When the information is collated we should have information from a broad range of values.”
Ms Mudford said climate change threatened camping grounds with higher tides and coastal erosion.
She urged holidaymakers to share their opinions.
“It’s really important people tell us what’s important to the area.”
Barwon Coast Committee of Management’s Bob Jordan said damage to 13th Beach last winter when sand was washed away demonstrated the potential threat of climate change to the viability of camping grounds.
“If that impact was replicated on the main beaches near the caravan parks, would we see people not coming?”