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

 

Subscribe for updates

 

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.

Rich Text Editor

X
By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Confirm