Inverloch's Surf Parade path extension by Christmas, they say
It's literally moving along in baby steps, but it seems likely now that Inverloch will at last have a shared pathway, right the way through to the surf lifesaving club, and hopefully by Christmas.
IT’S literally moving along in baby steps, but it seems likely now that Inverloch will at last have a shared pathway, right the way through to the surf lifesaving club, and hopefully by Christmas.
Gone, we are assured, will be those images of surf club nippers, in their distinctive yellow and red gear, walking down the middle of Surf Parade of a summer morning, or mums with kids in pushes, dodging in and out of cars, as they head to the beach…
They’ll now have a safe path to tread either from the centre of town to the beach or coming the other way from Goroke Street, where the newly extended path can also connect with the Inverloch to Wonthaggi bike trail.
The development of Surf Parde, to provide for two-way traffic and parking on both sides, between Ozone Street and Goroke Street, well, that’s a question that’s still to be resolved.
But at last Wednesday’s council meeting, Inverloch councillor Mat Morgan called for council and contractors to “get their skates on” and at least deliver the footpath, which is already funded out of savings on the Inverloch to Wonthaggi inland trail.
“We've got to a point now where, with the leftover money from the Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail, which is now open and came in under budget, that we can actually get this path happening and in place,” said Cr Morgan.
“And I think it's going to be an early Christmas present. And if not, it's on the record now, so, let's get our skates on.
“We've also had really enthusiastic involvement from community members on Lohr Avenue, Surf Parade and the rest of Inverloch about the preferred design strategy, and people are working in really good faith around that.
“So hopefully from here we can do some direct consultation with the people who live on Surf Parade. I'm going to offer them an apology for the constant hassle. I think I door-knocked up and down Surf Parade three times in my council campaign and as a councillor, and now they're going to have to do another round of consultation.
“But it is genuinely really important because, although we've managed to get a plan for the path and the two-way traffic and some car parking within the existing road reserve, that road reserve does extend a little bit onto what looks like nature strip, and it'll require a few different changes for services, but also encroach a little bit on what could possibly be seen as people's nature strips in certain parts
“So, it is important that we go and knock on those doors and have good faith conversations and hopefully, this is a good step forward, and we're actually going to see a path installed very soon.”
Cr Meg Edwards also welcomed the progress being made, but noted that the final design for the roadway and parking wasn’t yet settled.
She said that while the speed limit was set to be reduced to 30km/h, the indicative plan called for a roadway of 6 metres that was actually wider than other sections of the road which were 5.1 metres wide.
“It’s fantastic that we're getting the pathway and that it’s the number one priority for it to be in place for this summer,” said Cr Edwards.
“It’s also fantastic that we're going to be retaining our two-way traffic. A great outcome there.
“But I just want to clarify that this motion does not detail a final design. There is in the agenda a design proposal, but that is not what this motion has called for.”
Cr Edwards went on to congratulate “well qualified community members” for working closely with council to come up with a design that was now going out for further consultation with adjacent landowners.
But she stressed that the width of the roadway and the impact on services and the nature strip on the northern side wasn’t yet decided.
Manager Recreation & Transport, Angus Cameron, said that while council was in a position to go ahead with the footpath, it was still finalising designs for an upgrade to the road and formalising car parking along a 500-metre section of the road.
But he indicated the design work was further along than Cr Edwards’ understanding, with the final step being to confirm the works required by servicing authorities, including NBN, Telstra, South Gippsland Water, and AusNet where negotiations were well underway.
“The revised design will require the road to be moved further to the north, and because of this, it is recommended that council engage with landowners on Surf Parade,” Mr Cameron said.
In the meantime, the path will be constructed. It is recommended that a further report be presented to the February 2027 council meeting. The report will provide a summary of engagement with landowners and seek endorsement of the final plan.”
Council unanimously passed the following motion
- Notes the preferred design and costing for the future car parking and two-way road stage of the Surf Parade Stage 3B project, to follow construction of the shared pathway between Ozone Street and Goroke Street, Inverloch, subject to future budget approval.
- Authorises officers to undertake consultation with impacted property owners and relevant stakeholders, and receive a further report at the February 2027 Council Meeting.
- Considers funding the future car parking and two-way road stage of the Surf Parade Stage 3B project through the 2027/28 budget process.
There’s nothing in that motion to say the extension of the path will be ready for Christmas, but both Cr Morgan and Cr Edwards put it on the agenda, so there’s at least that impetus to get the job done in time for the busy summer holidays.
