Victoria

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has appointed Antarctica Architects as head consultant for the Apollo Bay Harbour Redevelopment precinct plan, following a competitive tender process.

The $12.61 million project will improve the visitor experience at the popular Victorian tourist destination, as well as deliver expanded commercial and recreational opportunities for the harbour precinct.

Proposed works include an extension of the Apollo Bay Fishermen's Cooperative building to accommodate an approved commercial premises, relocating the Port Operations Depot to Mother's Beach car park, constructing a waterfront promenade and improving pedestrian and transport connections around the harbour precinct.

"We want to create quality commercial, tourism and recreation opportunities in the precinct, in line with planning and environmental controls," said Cath Olive, acting CEO of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

"This major initiative is gathering momentum, and we are building towards releasing plans to the public. The Community Reference Group will help to inform the draft precinct plan, with the wider community then invited to provide input into it."

The architects, in conjunction with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, will work closely with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation to respect the cultural values of the land, as well as the Apollo Bay Fishermen's Cooperative to deliver improvements to the port.

The project is funded by the federal government through the $500 million Geelong City Deal.