General News
9 July, 2019
Step forward for Port bridge
CONSTRUCTION has begun on the Port Campbell Creek pedestrian bridge, the first project to be delivered as part of stage one of the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan.
CONSTRUCTION has begun on the Port Campbell Creek pedestrian bridge, the first project to be delivered as part of stage one of the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan.
The bridge has been designed to provide year-round connection for the community and tourists between the Port Campbell township and the Discovery Trail within the Port Campbell National Park.
Parks Victoria acting chief executive officer Simon Talbot said the construction of the bridge would utilise materials designed to withstand the coastal environment.
“This is an exciting day for the delivery of the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, a comprehensive program to protect the coast, improve visitor opportunities and strengthen the local economy through sustainable tourism,” he said.
“The Port Campbell Creek pedestrian bridge is the first project that will be delivered and will provide safe and accessible year-round connection between Port Campbell and the Discovery Trail, Port Campbell National Park.”
Mr Talbot said the landscape would continue to remain the focus for those visiting the area, with the ends of the bridge anchored by slender rectangular portals – framing the visitor’s view.
“The path route has been aligned to avoid impacting the sensitive dunal vegetation and prevent exposure to tidal surge from the harbour,” he said.
“The Port Campbell town approach will have Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant accessible paths provided to the bridge.
“The bridge is DDA complaint to the north bank with the width allowing for two wheelchairs to pass side-by-side.”
The Shipwreck Coast Master Plan was developed in a bid to protect the coastline and enhance the visitor experience between Princetown and the Bay of Islands.
The Shipwreck Coast encompasses 28 kilometres of coastline in the south west, attracting more than five million visits a year.
The master plan is expected to deliver an increase of $254 million in annual spending and create 3834 Victorian jobs.
To date, the Victorian State Government has invested $9.8 million in stage one of the plan.