About Us

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is a State Government body responsible for protecting, enhancing and developing coastal Crown land from Point Impossible to Cumberland River.

Formed by the Victorian Government in 2004, we are the largest of the Crown land committees of management along the Great Ocean Road, managing many of the highest visitation areas centred around major towns.

All funds raised through our commercial endeavours are reinvested back into caring for the coast.

Our Committee is made up of 12 members, appointed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 for a term of three years. Committee members are selected through a public, skills-based Expression of Interest process and appointed by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

Our role includes:

• Building and maintaining a wide range of facilities, assets and infrastructure – from artwork to amenity blocks
• Operating caravan parks in Torquay, Anglesea, and Lorne, and managing the lease of one privately operated park
• Issuing leases, licences and permits for various commercial and one-off activities and events on the coast
• Undertaking weed eradication and other programs to protect the sensitive coastal environment
• Contributing to the areas overall amenity in any number of ways, including removing rubbish from beaches and coastal reserves
• Designing and delivering a diverse range of special projects.

You can find out more about the work we do here.

Our Vision:

World-leading environmental protection and coastal experiences for all.

Our Mission:

In partnership with our community, recreation, tourism and local economy, we enhance and effectively manage the Great Ocean Road coastal environment.

We do this by reinvesting the income generated through our caravan parks, leases, permits and licences back into conservation, facilities, assets and infrastructure and education and engagement programs.

Our Guiding Principles:

1. Protecting and enhancing our natural environment and cultural heritage is of the highest priority.
2. Our coastal reserves have strong health, well-being, community, economic, and heritage benefits which support recreational and community enjoyment.
3. We provide the opportunity to enjoy our world-leading coastal experiences that are affordable, inclusive and welcoming.
4. We foster partnerships and volunteerism by improving access and understanding, education and engagement.
5. Our activities and partnerships are built on mutual trust, open communication, collaboration and transparency.
6. We use information and data and make evidence based decision making.
7. We engage and consult with our communities and stakeholders to inform our planning.
8. We think long term, use strategic business planning tools and innovation to make the best use of our financial, human and physical resources.
9. Good governance is core to everything we do and who we are.

Much of our work is undertaken in partnership with the State Government, Surf Coast Shire Council, Parks Victoria and other agencies, volunteers and the local community. We undertake a range of communication activities focused on building and maintaining effective partnerships, and on educating and engaging people in caring for the coast.

GORCC proudly acknowledge Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung as the traditional custodians of the land that now supports the Great Ocean Road. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging.  We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s First People.

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority

On 1 December 2020 GORCC will transition to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will initially be an amalgamation of GORCC and the Otway Coast Committee (OCC). Our staff are already working closely with OCC to ensure the transition is a smooth one and they are well prepared for the official merge on 1 December.

The transfer of other coastal public land parcels to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will happen progressively over several years, with the authority committed to working with existing land managers and volunteer groups to ensure valued local community facilities continue to be maintained ongoing.

For more information on Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and the Great Ocean Road reforms head to https://www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/ or visit: https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/great-ocean-road-action-plan

To subscribe to the Quarterly Community Update, please email greatoceanroad.actionplan@delwp.vic.gov.au with ‘subscribe’ as the subject line.

Links: 

• Read the latest Community Update – October 2020
• Read the Great Ocean Road Action Plan