Cape Conran Coastal Park Bushfire Recovery
Community information session
Parks Victoria hosted a bushfire recovery information session on 23 November, providing updates on recovery works and projects underway in East Gippsland parks.
If you were unable to attend the session, a recording is now available (YouTube) or you can download a copy of the presentation here (PDF).
All questions from the session as well those received subsequently are summarised here: Parks Victoria East Gippsland information session - questions and answers
Project status
Last updated: December 2023
Cape Conran Roofed Accommodation Project
As part of the Cape Conran Roofed Accommodation Project recommencement, a new Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) Permit has been prepared and approved by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) is currently being prepared. Field work is scheduled to commence.
Learn more about the Cape Conran Roofed Accommodation Project.
East Cape Boardwalk replacement
A new permit that better protects heritage during works, and changes to boardwalk features to better protect heritage in the long term, has been received and approved. Vegetation clearance works will start this month and construction will begin in early 2024.
East Cape Boardwalk extension
Parks Victoria has proposed extending the boardwalk to create new sections of track and improve overall accessibility of the walk. The Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts of the proposal are being reviewed as part of the wider Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) at Cape Conran Coastal Park.
Yeerung Bridge
Yeerung River bridge sustained significant damage during the April 2022 flood event and is currently closed to vehicles and only open for pedestrian access. Parks Victoria has completed detailed engineering assessment of the structure and, with support from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), we are working to establish requirements for reinstatement or removal and rebuild of the bridge.
Water and sewer from Marlo to Conran and shared path
This project was originally scoped to install water and sewer pipelines. East Gippsland Water will deliver the water and sewer assets, which are currently at design stage.
Cape Conran Activity Centre
The design is complete on the Cape Conran Activity Centre. We have requested tenders for the construction of the Activity Centre. Works will commence subject to an approved CHMP. The current timeline for construction to commence is May 2024.
Cape Conran Office
The Office construction will recommence subject to all regulatory approvals. Office design has been completed.
Walking tracks at Cape Conran Coastal Park
All walking tracks are now open including a section of the Nature Trail between Cowrie Bay and Joiners Channel.
Interpretive signage for Activity Centre, Office and walking tracks
Planning is continuing for replacing interpretive signs at the Office, Activity Centre and along two walking tracks at the park.
The project
The Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 heavily impacted Cape Conran Coastal Park and destroyed three cabins and all five wilderness retreats. Parks Victoria is replacing and upgrading the lost accommodation and visitor facilities to enhance visitors’ experiences of this gem on the Victorian coast.
Project timeline
Roofed accommodation and associated projects: the CHMP has commenced.
East Cape Boardwalk replacement: subject to First People-State Relations endorsing the new permit, works to clear vegetation are planned to recommence in late November 2023 and be complete by early 2024.
The timelines of other components of this recovery program will be updated as information becomes available.
Environmental management
Cape Conran Coastal Park has 11 ecological vegetation communities and is home to 41 mammal species and 170 species of birds, including the White-Bellied Sea Eagle. Parks Victoria has carried out a fauna and flora assessment to ensure the project does not impact on any habitat protection zones. In order to achieve compliance with the bushfire assessment and to improve access, some trees have needed to be removed from the site.
Who we’re working with
While there is no Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for the park, there are several Traditional Owner groups that have a connection to the area. Throughout the works at Cape Conran Coastal park we have consulted with representatives from the Gunaikurnai, Monaro, Bidwell and Monaro/Ngarigo and Biduelli First Nations groups.
Access changes
The Cape Conran Coastal Park including the Banksia Bluff Campground will be open throughout the construction period. Visit Cape Conran Roofed Accommodation Project for more information about access changes around the construction are when the works begin.
Project funding
Victorian Government Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package: $3.5 million
Victorian Government bushfire recovery funding: $13.1 million
Approximately $9 million insurance funds.
Other information
For more information on what there is to see and do at Cape Conran Coastal Park, please visit the Cape Conran Coastal Park page.