Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is now the new managers of the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve.
It’s the start of a process that will see a number of areas of land handed over to the authority by the council.
It’s thanked the Surf Coast Council for its work over the last 53 years and says it’ll continue working with the Shire to care and maintain the land at the popular tourist spot.
Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor Cr Liz Pattison said it was proud of what had happened while council had controlled the area.
“We have been looking through the archives as we prepared for the handover and it has been great to
see the progress that has been made at Bells Beach / Djarrak in the last 53 years,” she said.
“We know the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will continue this great work in
conjunction with the Wadawurrung and our passionate community.”
Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Board Chair Libby Mears said she hoped to see the group strengthen ties with traditional owners.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with Wadawurrung and all who strive to protect this area’s cultural, social and environment values,” she said.
“We will engage with key interest groups and all those who cherish this precinct, to develop a refreshed long-term vision – to ensure that future generations will inherit a thriving natural environment where the cultural, social, and economic values are well managed and in balance.”
