13th dune tracks win backing

Kim Waters
PLANS to carve walking and cycling tracks through dunes at 13th Beach have won the blessing of Geelong’s peak community environment body.
Geelong Environment Council’s Joan Lindros labelled the plans “a big improvement” on a previous proposal to run the trails on the ocean side of 13th Beach Road.
“It will require a big commitment in both money and effort to make sure the recommendations for revegetation occur but it’s a big improvement,” Ms Lindros said.
“The environmental integrity of the area will depend very much on the re-establishing of plants that will have to be relocated. Barwon Coast has committed to restoring and weeding the area so as long as that happens it should be fine.”
Ms Lindros said the environment council would “supervise” revegetation works.
“It would be tragic if revegetation and maintenance of the area wasn’t properly supervised and monitored.”
13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s Peter Sutas said Barwon Coast Committee of Management’s proposal was a “win-win” situation for the environment and beach-users.
“This has been on the books for a number of years and as a club our members have given in-principle support because of the safety factor of people not having to walk on the roads to get to the beach or the club,” Mr Sutas said.
“Safety is a major concern for us, as is the environment. If people are walking on dedicated trails it means they won’t be trampling the surrounding roadside vegetation like at the moment.”
Mr Sutas said the area was unsafe for walkers and cyclists.
“To put it bluntly, it’s not a safe road at the best of times, so properly designed tracks benefit everyone,” he said.