Working with others

As a small organisation with a big job to do, and even bigger aspirations – we simply can’t do it alone!

We work alongside a broad range of individuals and organisations including many community groups and environmental volunteers who provide invaluable support for many coastal management initiatives and play an important role in looking after the coast.

Our partners range from government departments and agencies to local businesses, community and indigenous groups.

We involve local schools and groups in activities where they can learn about the coast while helping us to care for it too.  The Great Ocean Road Coast offers free environmental activities for school and groups through our extensive environmental education programs.

Who we work with

Much of our work in looking after the coast is undertaken in partnership with others. Our partners range from community and indigenous groups to businesses, government departments and agencies and include:

• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning the Victorian Government department responsible for overseeing and supporting our work.
• Local community and volunteer organisations involved in recreation, rescue, environment and cultural activities along the coast.
• Other coastal-related committees of management including Barwon Coast, Bellarine Bayside and Otway Coast Committee.
• Other coastal stakeholders such as local businesses who rely on the coast for their income (e.g. surf schools) and user groups (e.g. Surf Life Saving clubs).
• Parks Victoria manages coastal reserves as part of the Great Otway National Park.
• Surf Coast Shire manages several sections of our coast, including the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve, and is responsible for a range of planning and other matters affecting the coast. We work cooperatively with the shire on various joint initiatives, such as the Surf Coast Walk, coastal events and environmental projects. A joint working party meets every three months to discuss common issues concerning the coast.
• The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is responsible for the water catchments along our coast.
• The Wathaurung Registered Aboriginal Party and other local indigenous groups.
• Western Coastal Board oversees strategic coastal and marine planning issues for Victoria’s west coast, which encompasses the Great Ocean Road coast.
• Victorian Coastal Council is the peak body for the strategic planning and management of the Victorian coast.

Our caravan park guests, beachgoers, visitors and other customers are also considered our partners in terms of the contributions they make to looking after our beautiful coast!