Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 29 March 2011
VOL 9. No 13
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
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Testing conditions on Saturday didn’t deter more than 3,500 riders from taking part in the annual Great Ocean and Otway Classic Ride. Wet conditions into Lorne proved treacherous, with many riders coming to grieve on the slippery roads. Once back on the Great Ocean Road, however, there were majestic views and drier roads to help riders finish either the 60-kilometre or 145km distance options. See more PETER MARSHALL photos on Page 13.
WORLD STAGE Great Ocean Road one step closer to heritage listing
BY ELEANOR WOODS THE GREAT Ocean Road is well on the way to becoming heritage listed. Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Dean Webster, Colac Otway Shire Mayor, Brian Crook, and Federal Member for Corangamite, Darren Cheeseman, rallied for the road to become part of Australia’s National Heritage Listing, in Canberra, last week. The trio met with Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to present their case for the road to be incorporated in the listing; which includes national icons Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. If listed, the Great Ocean Road and surrounding areas stand to benefit from increased federal funding and exposure to the world stage, the trio said.
Surf Forecast
Following the meeting, Webster was “fairly positive” the bid would be successful. “We had an excellent meeting with Minister Burke regarding the heritage listing of the Great Ocean Road and I think he is very keen to support its listing on the National Heritage Register,” Webster said. “I made the point to the minister about the surfing and indigenous history, the rare plant species, the ocean and forest environment and the World War I veterans’ responsibility for (the road’s) construction.” The group also discussed with the minister the inclusion of Bells Beach in the listing because of its unique indigenous and surfing history. “I am fairly positive we will be successful and this will certainly give justification for more federal funding along our coastline,” Webster said.
“We have been looking for federal acknowledgement of the historic significance of Bells and the Great Ocean Road for some time.” Cheeseman was also positive about the potential heritage listing. “I think we put a very strong case forward,” he said. “If this is successful and the Great Ocean Road becomes heritage listed we will very much be on the world stage next to other national icons. “Not only is it very important for a country to acknowledge its significant historical places, but this listing will tell the world just how important the Great Ocean Road is.” Minister Burke is taking advice from his department and the Heritage Council and a decision is expected to be made within the next few months.
Dean Webster, Darren Cheeseman and Brian Crook during their visit to Canberra last week.
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