2008 Community Award

The Great Ocean Road coastline is a jewel in Victoria’s tourism crown and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) has taken a leadership role in working to protect and enhance the conservation, recreation and tourism values of a 37 kilometre stretch of the famous coast between the towns of Torquay and Lorne. Appointed by the State Government, the GORCC has worked tirelessly in building and maintaining walking tracks, playgrounds, lookouts and other visitor facilities, undertaken environmental weed removal works, restored native vegetation and implemented waste minimisation and energy conservation strategies. In 2006, it published the Environment and Land Management Plan – a blueprint for conservation, community and sustainability initiatives – and has engaged schools and community groups to help students and others to learn more about the unique coastal environment.