What has happened so far
MAY 2017 Corangamite Shire allocated $1 million in the 2017-2018 Budget towards the Port Campbell Town Centre Improvement Project.
JUNE 2017 Fifteen residents nominated to be part of a Community Reference Group (CRG) chaired by Coastal Ward Councillor Simon Illingworth. A Project Control Group with representatives from Parks Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Twelve Apostles Tourism and Business Association was also formed to provide project input and advice.
AUGUST 2017 Hansen Partnership and Terroir were appointed to lead the conceptual and detailed design stages.
OCTOBER 2017 A two-day design workshop was held in Port Campbell. This is where the designers (Hansen Partnership) held ‘ideas and directions’ sessions with the Project Control Group and the Community Reference Group. Members of the community were also invited to a drop-in session to discuss ideas and local priorities.
DECEMBER 2017 The Community Reference Group called an additional public meeting which heard more ideas for the proposed concepts.
JANUARY 2018 A set of initial concept plans, ideas and sketches(PDF, 5MB) was completed and circulated for comment between 10 January to 12 February. A public information session was held at the Artspace and plans were displayed online and at different points in Port Campbell. Residents were invited to have their say by completing a survey.
MARCH 2018 Council received 153 responses to the survey. 98% of responses were from local residents. Council officers and the design team met with the Project Control Group and Community Reference Group to present findings.
JULY 2018 With the Cairns Street / Foreshore area a sticking point, four different design options for this area were circulated for community feedback from 10 July to 3 August. Residents were invited to have their say by completing a survey. Council received 107 survey responses.
AUGUST 2018 A petition of 271 signatures was presented at the Council meeting. It proposed to “Keep the Port Campbell foreshore accessible to everyone by retaining the current amount of car parks along the foreshore and ensure the continuation of two-way traffic,” as a fifth option for consideration. The Victorian Design Review Panel independently reviewed the Port Campbell Town Improvement Project and provided advice to Corangamite Shire.
FEBRUARY 2019 After extensive community consultation, Council developed a revised concept plan for the Port Campbell Town Centre Project.
MARCH 2019 The revised concept plan was adopted at the March Council Meeting.
AUGUST 2019 The revised schematic design shared with the community. Drop-in sessions held with traders and the community at the end of August.
NOVEMBER 2019 Council at its November 2019 Council meeting adopted a Schematic Design Plan. The adopted Schematic Design Plan was informed by public consultation.
JULY 2020 Renowned artist and Keerray Wooroong woman Dr Vicki Couzens selected as the artist to be involved in the integrated artwork component of the project.
AUGUST 2020 The Port Campbell Town Centre project is a step closer to reality, with Council adopting detailed designs at the August meeting.
JULY 2021 State Government commits $6M to the Port Campbell Town Centre Revitalisation Project.
OCTOBER 2021 Federal Government commits $5.6M to the project meaning works can get underway.
NOVEMBER 2021 Community Reference Group appointed.
DECEMBER 2021 Town Centre Project tender was advertised.
FEBRUARY 2022 Tender closes for this project. No tenders received. Council to use feedback from construction companies to consider alternate options for procurement.
APRIL 2022 The vacant Alcove Café building becomes a site office for construction, giving residents a place to drop in for updates.
MAY 2022 Council calls for tenders on the works package.
AUGUST 2022 Council appoints a project manager to oversee smaller sections of work to go ahead with individual contractors, after a tender process fails to identify suitable submissions.
OCTOBER 2022 Council seeks expressions of interest from contractors for design and construction of major parts of the project.
SEPTEMBER 2022 Carparking plans revised following community feedback.
FEBRUARY 2023 Tregea Street/Morris Street footpath completed.
APRIL 2023 Council selects Warrnambool company Civil now as contractor for the $5.15M 2023 works. Works to include timber decking lookout and picnic areas, new treatment on Lord Street surface, new pavement on Cairns Street, street furniture, lawn areas, garden beds, pathways and art by Dr Vicki Couzens.
JULY 2023 Corangamite Shire Council signs the 2023 Works Package contract with Civilnow, for the major part of the revitalisation project.
AUGUST 2023 Site preparation works start, focusing on the lower section of Lord Street near the Norfolk Island Pines, and the foreshore.
SEPTEMBER 2023 A dying Norfolk Island pine is removed from the Port Campbell Foreshore, making way for extended decking. Site preparation works in Lord Street and the foreshore.
OCTOBER 2023 Federal Senator Raff Ciccone officially breaks ground on the first large stage of the Port Campbell Town Centre Revitalisation Project. Construction includes a new deck, limestone walls, pavement and landscaping in Lord Street; and retaining walls, footpaths and complete landscaping on the foreshore.
OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2023 Install new deck, limestone walls, new concrete asphalt pavement, and landscaping in lower Lord Street. Install retaining walls, new footpaths and furniture, complete landscaping on foreshore.
NOVEMBER 2023 Community input sought on the integrated art component of the town centre project.
DECEMBER 2023 – JANUARY 2024 Works on the foreshore and lower Lord Street paused for the peak visitor period.
FEBRUARY 2024 Works resume, including new garden bed walls. Focus moves to Tregea Street, converting parking bays to 90-degree angle, new kerbing, accessible parks, road resurfacing and tree planting.
JULY 2024 Retaining walls and footpaths on the foreshore completed, with access to the first set of beach stairs and public shower reinstated. Lord Street roundabout nearest the foreshore removed and new street lighting installed.
SEPTEMBER 2024 The improved foreshore area reopens to the public. Community workshops to design a wayfaring mosaic with artist Dr Vicki Couzens.