Nature Reserves

The Surf Coast Shire is responsible for the management and protection of many areas of public open space throughout the municipality. Many of these areas are set aside as reserves for both active and passive recreational activities. These reserves are areas of Crown Land where the Shire is the Committee of Management or parcels of land that are owned and managed by the Council. They vary in size and distribution and many contain significant cultural and natural values. The Surf Coast Shire currently manages many of these areas as Nature Reserves.

Aireys Inlet / Fairhaven		Moggs Creek
	Allen Noble Sanctuary		Bristlebird Reserve
	Greenhood Nature Reserve		Moggs Creek Reserve Area
	Mellors Swamp Nature Reserve
	Merrans Flora Reserve	Moriac
	Painkalac Creek Nature Reserve		Larcombes Road Reserve
Anglesea		Paraparap
	Anglesea River		Giddings Road Nature Reserve
	Coogoorah Park
	Edna Bowman Nature Reserve	Torquay / Jan Juc
	Fairyland Nature Reserve		Deep Creek Nature Reserve
	Kuarka Dorla Nature Reserve		Grasstree Park Nature Reserve
	Lookout Reserve		Jan Juc Creek and Tributaries
			Moonah Woodlands
Bellbrae			Spring Creek Reserve
	Bellbrae Park Nature Reserve		Whites Beach and the Ponds
	Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve
	Iron Bark Nature Reserve	Winchelsea
	Menzels Road Nature Reserve		Casuarina Woodland
	Southside Flora Reserve		Barwon River Reserve Area
			Napthine Reserve
Connewarre			Winchelsea Common
	Dans Nature Reserve
	Rice Nature Reserve

Barbeques

In many Shire reserves, barbeques have been installed for your convenience. These all require a cyclic cleaning program and Council staff are dedicated to carry out these tasks on nominated frequencies.

The Shire contains many Parks and Open Space Reserves that are maintained by Council staff. All works, including mowing, watering, fertilising, weeding, pruning and general litter collection are programmed for each area on a weekly or seasonal basis. All maintenance work is recorded and any large maintenance or construction activities are programmed to minimise inconvenience to the public.

Responsible Authority

The Surf Coast Shire maintains selected Open Space, Parks and Reserves throughout the Shire including the Foreshore sections of White’s Beach and Bells Beach. Other Foreshore areas are maintained by the Great Ocean Foreshore Committee. The Department of Sustainability and Environment, and Parks Victoria maintain the majority of Open Space outside township boundaries. VicRoads are responsible for maintenance of the road reserve on their arterial and main roads network.

Roadside Vegetation

All roadside vegetation is the responsibility of the Surf Coast Shire (excluding VicRoads roads). Seasonal roadside slashing is carried out prior to the fire prevention period. Programmed tree trimming on the urban and rural road network occurs between May and October each year. A permit is required before any planting occurs on roadsides. Please contact Customer Service on 5261 0600 for further details.

Sports Ovals

The Surf Coast Shire has 11 sporting reserves and 13 ovals. These are mown prior to all home games for football or soccer and weekly for summer sports. All ovals are fertilised twice per year and also include the seasonal activities weed control, oversowing, dethatching and rolling. 6 grounds have automatic irrigation with 2 of those utilising recycled water.

Trees

For all fallen or damaged trees, or to request a new street tree, please contact Customer Service on 5261 0600.

The Surf Coast Shire’s responsibility for Powerline Clearance Program operates within the township of Torquay. This area is inspected and trimmed prior to the fire prevention period.