March 2023 Update

The full engagement report has been released. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback; this will help inform the draft Master Plan.
Ramblers Road Foreshore - Engagement Report
PDF (1.07 MB) | Listen

Overview

The City of Greater Geelong is developing The Ramblers Road Foreshore Master Plan 2023.

This is a unique coastal environments of sand dunes, native vegetation, and lagoons along the northern coast of the Bellarine Peninsula, adjoining Ramblers Road in Portarlington. The foreshore has important environmental, amenity and recreational values.

The development of the master plan will take into consideration environmental conditions, current and previous site usage, legislation, infrastructure and coastal management.

The new Master Plan will replace the Ramblers Road Foreshore Management Plan 2007, which helped to address many key issues and coordinate improvement works in the area.

The new Master Plan will reflect changes since 2007 including;
  • Installation of gravel pathway
  • Increasing population and use of foreshore
  • Increasing threats from Climate Change
  • Installation of the award-winning Ramblers Road Artificial Reef’
  • Upgrades to Point Richards Boat Harbour
  • Sightings of Orange-bellied Parrot
  • Nesting Red-capped Plovers
  • Formation of the Friends of Ramblers Road Group in 2021.

This Master Plan builds on the Management Plan and will provide currency, aiming to achieve an appropriate balance in usage, coastal hazard and climate change management as well as protection and enhancement of environmental values.

The Master Plan will review weed control, seasonal accumulation of sea grass wrack and other management actions to protect and enhance the foreshore.

The Process

Flowchart

Read about the project scope and view the map by clicking on the drop down arrows below.

The Ramblers Road Foreshore Master Plan will provide a review of the 2007 Management Plan and include up to date information on the changes that have occurred at this location as outlined above. The plan will provide an overarching vision for the management of Ramblers Road Foreshore Reserve and outline the desired outcomes and priority actions to be implemented in protecting this dynamic beach environment. It will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to identify values, issues and opportunities to help enhance management of the area.

Ramblers Road Foreshore Reserve and associated residential area is located south-west of Point Richards at Portarlington, approximately 25km east of Geelong on the Bellarine Peninsula. The foreshore reserve extends approximately 1.1km west of the existing pier and boat ramp at Point Richards and is approximately 30m wide.

The foreshore reserve is freehold land owned by the City of Greater Geelong. The site is zoned Public Park and Recreation Zone (PPRZ) in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, extending 600m out into the bay. The area south-west of Ramblers Road is zoned Public Conservation and Resource Zone (PCRZ) again extending approximately 600m out into the Bay.

Parks Victoria is responsible for the recreational use of the waters of Port Phillip Bay and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is the Crown land manager which includes both the seabed to the high tide mark. Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management manage the Point Richards boat ramp and surrounds, car park and jetty as well as the foreshore Crown land east of Point Richards Road. There is also a section of Crown land foreshore to the west of the boat ramp and rock groyne that is managed by Bellarine Bayside.

The Ramblers Road Foreshore Reserve is directly adjoined by 56 residential lots with dwellings on 52 of these. There are also four public access points/walkways providing access from Ramblers Road through to the foreshore reserve. An unsealed walking path improving public access has also been installed along the foreshore reserve. This has led to increased public use of the Reserve and beach which had previously been available for use by mainly adjoining residents.

Figure One: Location of Ramblers Road foreshore, Portarlington (highlighted in red)

Figure Two: Ramblers Road foreshore and surrounds - zoning and land management.

City - Ramblers Road Foreshore

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management - Point Richards boat ramp, groyne and triangle of foreshore west of groyne (yellow star)

HAVE YOUR SAY...

Your contribution will help to shape the Ramblers Road Master Plan.

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