Project Update - December 2024

Project Update

Shared Zone

The Town Centre Revitalisation includes a shared pedestrian and vehicle zone in Lord Street and Cairns Street (foreshore area). This will give pedestrians priority; motorists and cyclists must give-way. Normal crossing rules do not apply.

The area will become a low-speed area for vehicles – 20 km/hour. This speed restriction allows for and encourages increased pedestrian activity.  

By removing the formal distinctions between spaces dedicated to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorized vehicles, the street is shared by everyone, with each user becoming increasingly aware and respectful of the others.

Shared streets can significantly contribute to the public space, adding vibrancy and activity with outdoor dining, public seating, artwork, and landscaping. Shared treatments make streets safer for all users.

Project highlights

• Bus stop will be situated outside of town (opposite the Arts Space) providing more space and encouraging tourists to walk through the town and spend at local businesses as they pass by. 
• Nearly 0.5km of asbestos piping has been removed from the local environment (formerly encasing Telstra & Council assets).
• Formalized Headland informal path networks rehabilitated. 
• Rain gardens in Lord St, Tregea St and Cairns St will filter rainwater run-off in these streets. The overall volume of water run-off will be reduced with plants absorbing some of the water and resulting in less polluted water reaching the ocean.

Integrated artwork

Artist Dr. Vicki Couzens is leading a team of artists in multiple artistic interpretations and installations as part of the project.

Taking the form of tiles & mosaics embedded in the footpaths, these pieces will be treasured for generations to come. Seven tiles will be installed in Lord Street. Three have been installed to date depicting the coming together of community, local fauna and the ocean. A large community mosaic will be placed near the Heytesbury and District Historical Society museum at the Port Campbell Old Hall in Morris Street.

Foreshore

• Restoration of the historical Rocket Shed and surrounding area make this a feature of the foreshore landscape. GORCAPA in conjunction with Parks Victoria and the local Historical Society have refurbished the building and replaced the roof. The Project works involved paving being re-laid, terracing installed, and new turf.
• The seawall is being repaired after the 1 in 100 years storm last September – works being done by GORCAPA are now completed. 
• For the first time BBQs will be available to use while enjoying the vista in the new year - one is fully accessible for people with reduced mobility
• New foreshore sprinklers have a 30% efficiency gain.  
• Lighting on the foreshore uses 2700k bulbs (they don’t include blue in the colour) lessening any impact of marine life.  
• Around 4000 square metres of new lawns have been laid.
• 3 new drinking fountains with dog bowls have been installed, with the historic McIntyre fountain to be reinstalled in the New Year. This Fountain marks the contribution of Hector McIntyre to the local community as a member of a Port Campbell district pioneering family and for service to his country in the Boer War, Royal Australian Garrision Artillery, and until his death in the Great War in the mud of Flanders, France. In 1934 Hector’s widow, Margaret McIntyre, gifted a fountain and water trough as a legacy of her husband. The water fountain has always resided on the foreshore and the horse water trough current resides between the museum and tennis courts. “In Loving Memory of Major Hector McIntyre, Beloved husband of Margaret McIntyre, Killed in Action at Ypres, November 1917. And his noble Horses” (Thanks to Heytesbury Historical Society for this information)

Photo by Ulterior Visuals

Norfolk Pines area

• Redesign of Lord St to preserve Norfolk Pine Tree roots systems .
• Decking: allows additional viewpoints of the bay and reclaiming of an area previously overgrown and dangerous due to the angle of the cliff wall. Sure Foot footings have been used to reduce the impacts of the decks on the trees and landscape.
• Fabrication of the deck’s timber and metal components continues off site. An estimated 38,600 screws will be used to build the decks. Each screw requires pre-drilling and then the screw inserted. That’s over 77,000 drill movements to ensure the decks can withstand their seaside location.

Deck footings are now in place under the Norfolk Pines. This method avoided boring through the trees root system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are looking at one component of the low-impact footage system for the decks under the Norfolk Pine trees.

This is the largest plate and it can support 30 tonnes! All it needs are 2-metre-long rods that go around the edge and are hammered into the ground.

 

 

 

Planting at the foreshore and Lord Street South

Nearly all plants in this area are native, with many indigenous to the local area. A palette of plants that will survive the specific coastal conditions in Port Campbell have been selected such as Burgundy Willow Myrtle, Common Wallaby Grass and Tanika grass. 

Materials used in the project

• Processed glass and rubber tyres have been reused in the street asphalting.
• Granite pavers and other natural materials were chosen over manufactured stone. Granite is self-cleaning & doesn’t require continual sealing
• Limestone walls are a feature of the project built from Mt Gambier Limestone.
• All car parking in Lord St (main) is paver marked rather than paint marked. This method is highly durable & utilises changes in stone colour and texture to delineate spaces.

Felled Norfolk Pine timber

Timboon Men’s shed have made stools for a yarning circle at Timboon Kinder.

Port Campbell local Ray McCraw has been preparing sections of the removed tree, unique colours and natures patterns have been revealed and highlighted with sealing. If you have an idea for use of the timber get in touch: portcampbelltowncentre.com.au/contact 

War Memorial Plaque

The war memorial plaque cast by Dr. Ross Bastiaan (as part of a series dedicating the creation of the Great Ocean Road after the Great War) was unveiled at the corner of Cairns and Lord Streets in December 2010. In consultation with community members, it has now been shifted within the foreshore vicinity to ensure a connection to the original GOR route and the information displayed on the monument.

Other highlights

Sprinklings of festive cheer were installed in business windows thanks to Corangamite artist Susan Boyd. Can you find the Christmas Anchor in each window? 

Competitions

Golden Ticket in September to encourage visitors with a chance to win a free meal ($50). 

Why I Love Port Campbell - $500 prizes x 3 (monthly Sept-Nov) to share what everyone loves about Port Campbell. We had over 100 responses, including:

“I think it’s a beautiful town with lots to see and do. I’ve made so many great memories there and I would love to go back!!“

"Our family’s favourite place to go camping. Super easy to access the beach, nature walks & head out for a meal”

“My home away from home, holding childhood memories of family holidays each summer; Australia’s best kept secret! Friendly locals, picturesque sunsets and incredibly iconic scenery.”

"Nothing quite beats a sunset in Port Campbell watching the brilliant golden cliffs and chowing down on some fish and chips."

"Captivated by Port Campbell's beauty, we decided to stay. Years later, we bought land and soon, we'll be forever enchanted by its charm as locals."