Works start on a Torquay beach

A popular Torquay beach will receive upgrades to its car park.

Works on Fishermans Beach, also known as Fishos, started this week to provide resurfaced car parking, path improvements, safety upgrades and accessibility improvements.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority’s Infrastructure and Planning acting director Katie Hart said there would be minimal changes to how people used the precinct during construction.

“We’re committed to pursuing all available funding avenues to deliver the overall vision for the Fishos precinct,” she said.

“The project will improve the way people and vehicles move in and around the precinct and enhance the environment that supports all this activity.

“Fishos is a popular and much-loved area for a wide range of pursuits. These works are about making Fishos safer, easier to access, and more enjoyable for all visitors.”

The boat ramp and main car park will be closed until the end of October, with pedestrian routes in place to help people move around the site.

Key features of the upgrades included new accessible car and boat trailer parking, safer pedestrian crossings, a 2.5-metre-wide shared path, and DDA compliant timber walkway to the beach.

Works also feature designated bicycle parking, a kayak drop-off area, and two outdoor showers.

The $1.45 million initiative was supported with $800,000 by Better Boating Victoria and $650,000 by the Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority appointed the construction company Quantum Civil to deliver the works.

The project started in September 2022 with the initial proposed concept designs, with a second round of community engagements in May 2023 to refine the designs.