The proposed St Leoanrds foreshore site plan is an action in the Northern Bellarine Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2020-25, aiming to provide safer access to the coast and better care for the surrounding environment.

We are seeking community feedback at key points during the process to explore opportunities and ensure the final plan understands user aspirations and provides an asset that benefits the St Leonards coast in form and function.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the first phase of consultation. We have reviewed community and partner agency feedback, and have shared a feedback summary below of what we heard for the land that Bellarine Bayside manages, the foreshore car park site.

Our desire to improve user experience and safety of the area includes ensuring that the site plan works in harmony with the plan Parks Victoria is developing to rebuild the adjacent St Leonards pier. We are continuing to work with Park Victioria as their project progresses to ensure the planning for landside and waterside improvements are complementary. Find out more about the St Leonards pier rebuild project here.

Bellarine Bayside, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, sought to develop a plan for approximately 2.9 hectares of the St Leonards foreshore, comprising the car park area to the north (managed by Bellarine Bayside) and Harvey Park to the south (managed by the City of Greater Geelong).

The area initially identified adjoins the main township of St Leonards and is popular for providing access to the beach, pier, main street, water activities, and open recreational space. Through the consultation on the Northern Bellarine Coastal and Marine Management Plan, we identified that further planning was required in this area, and that seeking a solution to separate the Bellarine Coastal Trail from the foreshore car park was a top priority.

By undertaking a planning process, we can determine the long-term enhancements of the area by addressing management issues and understanding user aspirations while ensuring sufficient area is set aside for conservation and rehabilitation of the natural coastal and marine environment.

Bellarine Bayside and the City of Greater Geelong held the first phase of public consultation in January – February 2023, seeking feedback on the entire identified area. After discussion with the City of Greater Geelong, Bellarine Bayside is now developing a site plan for the area of land that we manage only.

The site plan is being developed based on three core design factors:

• Environmentally sustainable design,
• Universal design.
• The Siting and Design Guidelines for Structures on the Victorian Coast

And with the following design objectives:

• Protect and enhance cultural and environmental values.
• Improve the safety and connectivity of parking and trails.
• Enhance visitor facilities.
• Maintain the coastal character.

When developing the site plan with a landscape architect, we will be keeping core design objectives in mind, and considering feedback from the community and partner agencies.