BARWON COAST, 13TH BEACH TRAIL
An Overview – February 2007
The Proposal
The proposed shared trail alongside 13th Beach Rd (Oceanside) seeks to provide safe pedestrian
and recreational cycling opportunity from the townships of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove to a
number of beach access points and the Barwon Heads – 13th Beach S.L.S.C. (34W). (There are
three intermediate beach- surf break access points along the length of the trail, these are popularly
known as Cylinders (31W), Beacon (32W), Signpost (33W) from east to west.)
The sealing of the roadside shoulders (both sides) to improve overall safety of users of the
roadway noting that the roadway is not being widened.
Contents
Page No
Need for trail
Location & Description
Use patterns 13th Beach Rd
Vegetation Management
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Features of construction
Alternate location
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The need for the Trail

The observable increased use of 13th Beach throughout the year reflecting the increased
population of our local communities (Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove) especially families with
youngsters with an interest in surfing, body boarding and other water activities.

Community representations have been made since 1999, advocating for improvement to the
safety arrangements along 13th Beach Rd. particularly for young people accessing the surf over
the entire year, often bicycling whilst carrying their boards, and riding on the narrow roadway
with increased traffic load.

Our community Steering Group who assisted us in developing the Barwon Coast Trails Strategy
Action Plan, 2004, indicated the 13th Beach Trail section as the highest priority for
implementation for safety of users of this area of the coast.

The Barwon Heads community and City of Greater Geelong through planning studies such as
the Bellarine Recreation and Leisure Needs Study (2005) and the Barwon Heads Urban Design
Framework identified a ‘Round the Heads Trail’ as a significant opportunity with high
community benefit. The proposed 13th Beach Trail forms the major coastal linkage in that
Trail.

The City of Greater Geelong currently convenes a working party developing the “Round the
Heads Trail”(RTH) and the consultants report incorporates the proposed 13th Beach Trail as the
southern section of the RTH Trail.
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
The proposed shared trail will also service the 13th Beach Resort and residential area located
northwest of the Surf Life Saving Club.

A significant grant of $200,000 has been provided through the Regional Infrastructure
Development Fund – Small Town Development Fund, for the construction of the proposed
$420,000 13th Beach Trail, recognizing its social and economic value of the project to the
township.
Location & Description

A continuous shared pedestrian and bicycle trail extending westward along the southside
(oceanside) of 13th Beach Road from the Barwon Heads Access Trail to the 13th Beach Surf Life
Saving Club, a length of 1800 metres, (Beach access points 30W to 34W).

The shared Trail would have a fenced width of 3 metres and would incorporate two sections of
elevated boardwalk, (in total approximately 50 lineal metres), otherwise the surface would be
compacted gravel.

The Trail would generally be offset 1.5m from the edge of the present bitumen road surface and
be at road level, this corridor for the trail is mostly previously disturbed dune area from earlier
use for access to the sea (prior to the achievement of fencing along the roadside).

In implementation it is proposed in some sections of the Trail over its length, to construct timber
retaining walls on the inland batter of the sand dune along the oceanside of the trail to reduce
bulk excavation and limit impact on vegetation and possible disturbance of cultural heritage.

At established beach access points and their adjacent car parks, pedestrian safety arrangements
for road crossing will be improved with the Trail’s work program.

The proposed trail will also have connections to Stephens Pde, Barwon Heads from car parks.

The physical footprint and visual character of the Trail would reflect that achieved in the
Barwon Heads Access project of 1999.

Roadside shoulders will be improved for overall safety of users of the roadway - the roadway is
not being widened.
Use Patterns of 13th Beach Rd
As commented above there is a recognized increasing use of 13th Beach road, particularly by young
surfers carrying their surf board or boogie board while cycling, and also an increase in walking &
jogging activity along the roadway. (Increase youth can be measured by both the growth in
population of the towns of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove and by the membership growth both
male and female of the 13th Beach Boardriders and the Southcoast Bodyboarders whose focus area
is 13th Beach).
The primary motivation of the young surfers is to find the best wave break, having come from
Barwon Heads or Ocean Grove and entered 13th Beach Road from Ewing Blyth Drive or Golf Links
Track (east end). They are generally looking to head westward, how far being dependant on what
they can see of the breaking waves.
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The priority is the vision of the waves and the westward movement directs them to want to be on the
beach side of the roadway to gain the vision of the sea.
This demand for vision of the sea includes picking the best spot for the waves in the distance as
well as catching the form of those already in the water. Being on the beach side places the cyclist
nearer the top of the dune escarpment this allows for the best opportunity for long views along the
beach for the wave breaks. This attention to activity currently distracts the cyclist from the safe use
of the narrow 13th Beach Rd.
For a recreational walker or family cycling group the vision of the rugged coast with severe sand
dunes, rock platforms, breaking waves and the experience of the wind directs their interest to the
beach side of the roadway also gaining that proximity and long view opportunity.
It is essential that any proposed trail is constructed where there is a strong likelihood of use, rather
than a location chosen for other reasons. For example in the 1999 Barwon Heads Access project
part of the trail was constructed to the east of a very narrow section of Ewing Blyth Drive to
increases safety of young cyclists on their way to the surf. However whilst pedestrians use this trail,
young cycling surfers choose to ignore this section of trail as it dips below road level, rises back up
again and is generally deemed to be to difficult for the board carrying cyclist
We believe that constructing the proposed 1.8km 13th Beach trail on the ocean side of the roadway
best serves the demand for its provision.
Presently cyclists and pedestrians have off road facilities to (30W). Cyclists then move onto
the roadway, whilst for pedestrians the trail ends. This prompts a latent demand for
pedestrian access westward along 13th Beach Rd as some individuals do not have the capacity
to walk the beach or the tide conditions inhibit access.
The road corridor has a 6m wide sealed surface (2.9 m traffic lane) with fence lines on the side of
road offset between 1m and 1.5m. The shoulder is not constructed, being of sand and gravel
resulting in pedestrians actually walking on the road surface
Vegetation Management
Vegetation management for this project is recognized of high importance and the Committee has
sought to fully assess the vegetation attributes to be able to meet their ongoing responsibilities.
We therefore engaged the well respected Graeme Stockton to review the flora within the proposed
trail area and make recommendations on management of required offsets. His Report Flora Survey
and Flora Management Recommendations for a shared trail at Thirteenth Beach between 30W and
34W - November 2006
The vegetation survey and assessment undertaken by Mr Stockton is broadly summarised below for
the foredune – oceanside of 13th Beach road and the hind dune north side of the road fronting
Stephens Pde.
Foredune (oceanside)
Biodiversity values:
 31 indigenous species
 36 introduced (pest) species
 Supports EVC 1 for Otway Plain Bioregion
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Significance of biodiversity
 EVC 1 Coastal Dune Grassland / Coastal Dune Scrub which is depleted in the Otway Plain
Bioregion
 Presence of flora species of state & regional significance
The Vegetation Quality assessment received habitat score of 61, high conservation significance.
Hind dune ( Stephens Pde. frontage)
Biodiversity values:
 39 indigenous species
 60 introduced (pest) species
 Supports EVC 858 Otway Plain Bioregion
Significance of biodiversity
 EVC 858 Coastal Alkaline Scrub, which is endangered in the Otway Plain Bioregion
 Presence of flora species of state & regional significance
The Vegetation Quality assessment, received habitat score of 54, very high conservation
significance.
On understanding a number of the attributes of the vegetation in the process of field survey and
reporting with Stockton, it was recognised that the underlying character of the vegetation within the
dune system has been significantly impacted upon since settlement. The investment in meeting net
gain offset requirements should therefore be focused on restoration of the dune vegetation to that
identified as Coastal Alkaline Woodland which encompasses Moonah Woodland, a threatened
community under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.
Barwon Coast, in response to the requirement to gain a permit for native vegetation clearance under
the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, has developed a strategy entitled “Vegetation Management
Plan including Proposed 10 year Net Gain Offset in EVC 858 Coastal Alkaline Scrub” which will
accompany the permit application. A budget of approx $200,000 will be provided to met our
commitments as detailed in our Vegetation Management Plan for Net gain offsets.
The responses provided in that management plan will guide our commitment to enhancing the
diversity and quality of the vegetation of the dune system improving the habitat values. These
responses will unfold over time and within the construction corridor, existing vegetation will be
utilized for retrieval eg brush matting stabilization of foredune and for mulch production for use in
the rehabilitation of the works.
The vegetation management plan identifies the scope of works for:
 the foredune area adjoining the trail;
 for the spoil disposal site at the west end of 13th Beach dunes;
 and importantly for the net gain offset area.
Our emphasis on avoiding / minimizing vegetation loss, has led us to the development of the
preferred trail location being adjacent to the existing roadway and the construction of retaining
walls along the trail to reduce the extent of excavation and vegetation loss (see attached sketch
plans).
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Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Barwon Coast has had an Aboriginal Archaeological survey of 13th Beach undertaken, Austral
Heritage Consultants, August 1997, which included the proposed works corridor.
Recently a significant cultural heritage material exposure was identified while field assessment for
extent of pest plants was being undertaken, this on the seaward side of the proposed trail, west of
the Beacon (32W) access. Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative has been advised of this find.
Advise of the proposal has been provided to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative, Barwon
Coast has a established works protocol with the Cooperative which will be observed.
Advice from DSE, Native Title Regional Coordinator, is that native title has been extinguished over
this area of the reserve.
Features of Construction work
Shared trail and road parameters;







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Shared pedestrian/bicycle trail width of 2.5m
Shared trail fenced both sides, fence lines 3m centre to centre
Fence offset from outside edge of sealed shoulder by 500mm
Retaining walls provided on ocean side of trail to hold batters
Boardwalk sections, provided with safety rail on roadside
Pedestrian refuge provided at access tracks
Carriageway lane width of 3m
Sealed shoulder width of 1m
Applicable signage
Alternate location of Trail
As noted earlier, the proposed pedestrian and cyclist shared trail alongside the oceanside of 13th
Beach Rd seeks to provide safe pedestrian and recreational cycling opportunity from the townships
of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove to a number of beach access points (Cylinders (31W), Beacon
(32W), Signpost (33W) from east to west.) and the Barwon Heads – 13th Beach S.L.S.C. (34W).
In firming up on the oceanside location for the trail, we reviewed a number of other possible options
for the location of the trail in an effort to avoid / minimize vegetation disturbance / loss.
These options are detailed below along with key reasons why the options were not taken up.
Link through Stephens Parade, Barwon Heads to 13th Beach
This option would require pedestrians / cyclists to proceed along the unmade Stephens Parade, from
Golf Links Rd extension, until road ends at the coastal dune 300m or more away from main 13th
Beach (34W) (SLSC)
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Reasons for not supporting this option include:

Stephens Parade (residential on north side) does not link into existing trail on 13th Beach Rd

Stephens Parade is not readily accessible from Ocean Grove

Access to Stephens parade from Barwon Heads includes using the track that crosses
fairways on the Barwon Heads Golf Club

A trial in that location would not provide for ongoing westward movement along to 13th
Beach and would have no view field opportunities

Access tracks would have to be cut through the coastal reserve to link up to Beach Access
points and require a crossing of 13th Beach Rd at each point of access

To link the west end of Stephens Parade to the 13th Beach Clubhouse would require a trail to
be cut into a larger area of dune habitat
Link along north side of 13th Beach Road
This option would require the trail to be constructed on the inland side of 13th Beach Rd.
Reasons for not supporting this option include:

At each beach access point, trail users would have to cross 13th Beach Rd.

Reduced opportunity for long view fields

Far greater removal of butts of vegetation in trail construction area noting prevailing plant
growth from south to north. impact on greater area of plant cover. (Recognizing however
some sparse vegetation areas on north road edge)

Rehabilitation of excavation batters on north side will be more difficult being exposed to
predominant south / southwest winds
Relocate 13th Beach Road northward
The rationale for the option of moving 13th Beach Road northward, being that the trail could be
constructed within the existing road, not impacting on vegetation on the south side, but impacting
on vegetation on the north side with the relocation of the road. This option would also move the
road further inland from the cliff / sand dune face.
Reasons for not supporting this option include:

Financial costs – Substantial costs to move 1.8m road inland – Officer contact with COGG
did not generate any support for joint funding.

Substantial removal of vegetation on north side , probably more so than creating a trail on
the south side
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Various versions of road relocation
Other options have included diverting road only at the location of the car parks (currently on north
side of road) and creating a winding road rather than the current straight road and having trail on
north side. This would move the road away from the cliff face in some locations.
Reasons for not supporting this option include:

Financial costs – Substantial costs to move road inland around existing car parks– Officer
contact with COGG did not generate any support for joint funding.

Substantial removal of vegetation on north side, with the road having to be engineered with
gentle deviations (greater vegetation removal) rather than sharp bends, due to the 80kph
speed limit,

Trail users would have to cross 13th Beach Rd at beach access points
Trail switching across 13th Beach Road
Suggestion that the trail switch to the north side of 13th Beach Rd between 33W and 34W as
vegetation quality on north side assessed as less than that on south side.
Key reason for not supporting this option is that it reduces the safety of users as it requires two
crossings of 13th Beach Rd and may reduce the trail effectiveness and cyclists particularly may
choose to ignore that section of trail (north side) and still ride on the road. There are also a number
of arguable issues regarding additional impacts on vegetation at cross over points and excavation
batters.
Bob Jordan
General Manager
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March 2007
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