New 13th plan backed

Kim Waters
Plans for walking and pedestrian paths through dunes at 13th Beach have won cautious backing from environmental and surfing groups.
Barwon Coast Committee of Management is set to release the plans after widespread community opposition shot down the committee’s 2007 bid to site the project on the ocean side of 13th Beach Road.
Opponents feared the project would extensively damage vegetation and the beach’s dunes.
The new plans would provide links to Barwon Heads and access to the beach for cyclists and walkers.
Committee general manager Bob Jordon said he could not yet confirm design details but confirmed the proposed paths were “definitely not” on the ocean side.
“I can’t go into too much detail because the plans are still in a draft stage,” Mr Jordon said.
“But the trail won’t be on the ocean side, obviously it will be on the other side of the road.
“There will possibly be a public forum to discuss the plans but that hasn’t been resolved yet.”
Mr Jordon said the draft proposed “sections of trails” rather than the first plan’s “continuous” track beside the road.
Providing safe access to 13th Beach was the priority, he said.
13th Beach Surf Lifesaving Club president Peter Sutas welcomed the draft plan.
He believed that 13th Beach Road was unsafe for walkers.
“We want a good trail that people can walk, run or ride along rather than having them on the road,” Mr Sutas said.
“To put it bluntly, it’s not a safe road at the best of times, so a properly designed track benefits everyone.”
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros hoped the new design would “avoid coastal vegetation where possible”.
“We put quite a lot of work into opposing the initial plans because they would have been quite damaging to the native vegetation along the dunes,” Ms Lindros said.
“I’m pleased the trails won’t be on the south side of the road and I hope that there will be offset areas included for any vegetation destroyed.”