The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is expanding its management areas to include Bells Beach/Djarrak.
The authority took over the 48-hectare reserve ’s management from the Surf Coast Shire Council, which it had managed since May 1971, from July 1.
Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority board chair Libby Mears said it was important to help improve the region’s environmental values and address over-tourism’s negative impacts.
“We will engage with key interest groups and all those who cherish this precinct, to develop a refreshed long-term vision,” she said.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with Wadawurrung and all who strive to protect this area’s cultural, social and environmental values.
“(We will also) continue to ensure that future generations will inherit a thriving natural environment where the cultural, social, and economic values are well managed and in balance.”
Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor Liz Pattison said the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority would continue to work with the Wadawurrung People and the Surf Coast community.
“For 65,000 years, this very special place has been cared for and managed by Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Custodians,” she said.
“Bells Beach/Djarrak is a special area that we (council) have had the formal honour of looking after, along with many community groups, for the last 53 years.
“We have been looking through the archives as we prepared for the handover, and it has been great to see the progress that has been made at Bells Beach/Djarrak in the last 53 years.”
