Current Projects and Activities
- Bay of Fires Master Plan
- Break O’Day Aquatic Facility Feasibility Analysis
- Re-Location of the Fingal RV Park to the Fingal Recreation Ground
BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS) and Break O’Day Council (BODC) have partnered to engage a consultant to prepare a Bay of Fires Master Plan that will deliver a high quality environmentally, economically and socially sustainable Bay of Fires experience for the next twenty years to 2040. To deliver on that objective, the Master Plan must have regard to the need for protection and enhancement of the natural environment and cultural values, the needs of the community and residents, and he nature and drivers of the local economy. The primary scope encompasses national park, conservation and recreation areas north of Humbug Point, to the Binalong Bay township, the Bay of Fires beaches and campgrounds, Anson’s Bay, to Deep Creek in the north and the freehold land within this area.
CONSULTANTS:
Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd
KEY ACTIVITIES & INDICATIVE TIMELINES:
| Commencement Date | Activity | Detail |
| Last week October, 2024 | Inception | · Inception meeting
· Initial contact with Aboriginal parties · Preparation of Project Plan · Preparation of Engagement Plan |
| First week December, 2024 | Desktop Review & Initial Management | · Confirmation of Aboriginal engagement
· Background review · Community & tourism summaries · Targeted engagement · Impacts and Opportunities · Initial Cultural Heritage Assessment |
| Mid February, 2025 | Concept Framework | · Conceptual Framework development |
| Mid April, 2025 | Testing | · Site investigations and community engagement
· Further engagement with Aboriginal parties · Cultural Heritage assessment · Existing conditions analysis |
| Mid May, 2025 | Draft Masterplan | · Preparation of draft Masterplan
· Preparation of draft Infrastructure Guidelines |
| End July, 2025 | Finalisation | · Finalisation of Masterplan
· Community Engagement · Preparation of Engagement Summary |
These activities and timelines may be subject to changes during the duration of the project
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
There will be several opportunities for the community to have their say on the Bay of Fires Master Plan project. We will share links and promotions to these opportunities here as they arise. We will also promote these opportunities through our Newsletter, Social Media and email databases as well as other local media outlets.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REPORT:
The Bay of Fires Master Plan will provide a basis for managing the future use of the Bay of Fires area to deliver a high quality experience for those who visit and use the area. It will guide the actions and priorities of the Parks and Wildlife Service who have the overall land management responsibility for the Bay of Fires as well as the activities of the Break O’Day Council and other community organisations who have an interest in the area.
BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Break O’Day Council is exploring the potential construction and operation of an Aquatic Facility in our area. The project initially involves a feasibility analysis to assess whether such a facility is viable. This analysis will examine the various components of the proposed aquatic facility, including its design, potential locations, and the anticipated level of community use. Additionally, the financial projections will be broad and consider the community’s ability to fund the project. The primary goal of the feasibility analysis is to address key questions, such as whether an aquatic facility is feasible, what it could look like, where it might be located, and how it would be financed.
CONSULTANTS:
Otium Planning Group
KEY ACTIVITIES & INDICATIVE TIMELINES:
| DATE | ACTIVITY | DETAIL |
| August-September 2024 | Pre-Research | Reviewing all background studies, demographics etc. Reviewing competitor facilities and aquatic trends. This will inform a Needs gap analysis |
| Late October – Early December | Community Engagement | This will include:
|
| November | Research comparable facilities | Examining three rural or similar facilities |
| January 2025 | Component Schedule | Outlining what the facility would require to help guide site capability discussions |
| Cost Plan | Based on agreed components, a high level cost plan will be developed | |
| Financial Monitoring | Develop a detailed financial model and investigate potential funding opportunities | |
| February 2025 | Draft Feasibility Study | A Draft will be presented to Council for discussion. After it has been to Council it will be released to the community for their input. |
| February – March 2025 | Community Feedback | Community feedback on the draft will be collated and considered in the final version |
| March 2025 | Final Feasibility Report | Will be released to the public and uploaded to Council’s website. |
* It is important to note that the Key Activities and Timelines are indicative only and that they may evolve and change as the consultancy progresses.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
There will be several opportunities for the community to have their say on the Aquatic Feasibility Study project. We will share links and promotions to these opportunities here as they arise. We will also promote these opportunities through our Newsletter, Social Media and email databases as well as other local media outlets.
COMMUNITY FACE-TO-FACE WORKSHOPS
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REPORT
Once the Feasibility Analysis has been developed, it will be presented to the Council who will decide if the project investigation should proceed to Stage 2 which is the development of a detailed business case and concept design.
The investigations and ultimately decision making around a potential Aquatic Facility in the area will be the most complex and ultimately future shaping project to be considered by the Council since the amalgamation of Portland and Fingal Councils creating Break O’Day in 1993. A decision to build and manage an Aquatic Facility will be lived with for future generations.
Once this work is completed, Council will need to make a decision on whether to progress to Stage 2, you can find the various stages of this project in the Methodology document below.
If progressed, the construction of a facility will require external funding, meaning Council will need to seek State and Federal funding to deliver such a project.
COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW OPEN
You can find Community Engagement activities here: Community Engagement
Break O’Day Council will be relocating the Fingal Park RV park to the Fingal Recreation Ground as a result of changes to the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023.
The Fingal RV Park located on the main road has been a popular, free RV stopping spot for many years but due to its co-location with a children’s playground and equipment, Council found under the new legislation there was a conflict.
The RV Camping will be relocated to the Fingal Recreation Ground which is approximately 350m from Fingal Park. This site is a large, open and flat are with toilet and shower facilities. The larger space, tucked away from the main road, provides a larger, safer and quieter area for RV campers to enjoy. The Dump Station and EV Charging station will remain located at the Fingal Park.
Council will publicise this change by notifying RV camping websites and apps as well as installing signage at both sites and entry points to the Fingal Township.
The RV Park at Talbot Street will be officially relocated on 30 November 2024 and there will be signage on site highlighting this change.
You can find more information on why we have moved the RV Park here: Fingal RV FAQ