The Federal and Victorian Governments are progressing the Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment, which includes community engagement and a partnership with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) to ensure this culture is a large focus of the project.
The $108 million redevelopment, a part of the broader Geelong City Deal, aims to transform the precinct and make it safer and easier to enjoy for tourists and locals.
The redevelopment includes an upgraded viewing platform, safer beach access at Gibson Steps, new access roads, expanded parking areas and accessible community facilities.
The local community is invited to participate in the redevelopment online survey, and to attend the information sessions that will begin this month and run for six months.
The Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment is the next stage of projects delivered under the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan. The plan was developed over three years with extensive community consultation.
Victorian Minister for Regional Development, Harriet Shing, joined Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, to officially announce the beginning of the community consultation process.
Ms King said the redevelopment aims to attract more domestic and international visitors and encourage visitors to stay longer.
Victorian Minister Shing and Federal Minister King also announced a partnership with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC), the formally recognised Traditional Owner groups for the area, to enable the codesign and delivery of the project.
Ms Shing said, “This project will create a lasting legacy as an international, cultural and environmentally conscious tourism drawcard for the region and Australia for decades to come.”
The partnership with EMAC recognises Eastern Maar’s ongoing connection and intrinsic relationship with Country, in line with the Eastern Maar Country Plan and will ensure the Eastern Maar culture remains at the forefront of the redevelopment.
EMAC Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Clarke, said, “We are excited to join in a participatory design process to share in a new vision for the Twelve Apostles precinct that equally projects our shared stories and histories connected to this iconic place and the broader Great Ocean Road.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to position the new Twelve Apostles precinct into an even more attractive destination for visitors and locals alike; a destination that balances, safeguards and amplifies our natural and cultural assets alongside increasing visitor numbers.”
The Federal Government is supporting engagement with EMAC to deliver the redevelopment and other projects in the region.
Grimshaw Architects will also work in partnership with EMAC and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to design the world-class redevelopment.
The Twelve Apostles precinct will include a Visitor Experience Centre that will become the new gateway for those visiting the Great Ocean Road. Work is expected to begin at the precinct in 2024.
The $500 million Geelong City Deal is a collaborative plan to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road by the Federal and Victorian Governments, and the City of Greater Geelong.