Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Masterplan
We are pleased to share the Masterplan for the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve.
Gadubanud Country
This project is on the lands of the Gadubanud People, part of Eastern Maar Nation.
Project Update May 2025
Engagement Summary Report
In November and December 2024, we asked for your feedback on the future of the Marengo ramp.
Through an online survey and two in-person drop-in sessions we heard from local community members, visitors, and key stakeholders.
Your input is helping us:
- Understand how the ramp and surrounding area are used
- Identify what matters most to the community
- Incorporate your preferences on design features, safety, and aesthetics into the final concept
- Ensure the new ramp is safe, environmentally appropriate, and meets community needs
We’ve summarised what we heard in the Engagement Summary Report, which you can download below.
Project Overview
The Marengo beach access ramp is an important entry point to the rock shelf and beach at the southern end of Mounts Bay. The existing ramp has provided access for many years but is now due for replacement to address both safety concerns and the evolving needs of the community and users.
Why replace the ramp?
The existing ramp has reached the end of its life and is due for replacement. The timber elements have deteriorated and require frequent maintenance, bolts and other fixings have rusted and the signage needs to be updated.
The ramp needs to be replaced to ensure safe and reliable access into the future.
While the ramp's alignment has held up against climate impacts, the current structure does not fully meet the safety and accessibility needs of users and has aged in the harsh coastal environment meaning it now needs replacement.
The coast is an ever-changing environment, shaped by natural processes such as erosion, wave action and storm activity. In this region, we face specific challenges due to the exposure of the site to erosion and the presence of slippery rocks, which can make the ramp's accessibility and safety more challenging, especially during extreme weather events.
As we work to replace the Marengo ramp, it is essential to consider the impact of these coastal dynamics. The design needs to ensure continued safe access to the beach while being resilient to the changing conditions of the coastline.
In the long term, we will continue to monitor these challenges and adapt the infrastructure, accordingly, keeping community input at the forefront of our decision-making.
This project is part of a broader effort to manage coastal hazards across the Great Ocean Road, in line with the Victorian Resilient Coast Guidelines under section 41 of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
We're committed to working with the community and experts to create sustainable, safe and accessible solutions, while being mindful of the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.
Stay up to date with projects and opportunities to engage with us on our Have Your Say Webpage
Understanding the area...
Have Your Say
The engagement period is now closed. Thank you for your contribution.
You can view the survey below that was designed to provide feedback about the Marengo ramp replacement and its features.
Ramp design survey
We want your feedback to help shape the new ramp design
