Mallacoota - Pittosporum Walk and Devlins Gully Walk Reconstruction

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Consultation has concluded.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the discussion and provided feedback.

This popular short walk provides spectacular views over the Mallacoota inlet and beyond to Gabo Island and distant ranges. The walk partially follows the escarpment on the coastline and passes through diverse vegetation and moist gullies full of birdlife. 

The southern section of the walk has been rebuilt and provides access to Bastion Point. This upgrade not only enhances the accessibility of the coastal area but also improves the overall experience for visitors, offering stunning views and a more seamless connection to the natural beauty of the shoreline.

Planning is now underway to reconstruct the northern section of Pittosporum Walk, which provides access from the town and will provide a continuous off road walking track connection between town and Bastion Point.

Also included within the overall project planning is the reopening of the adjoining Devlins Gully Walk, which has been closed for some time whilst environmental matters have been considered. 

Objective and scope

The aim of this project is to reopen the northern segment of Pittosporum Walk and the Devlins Gully Walk, providing safe access for walkers whilst protecting the sensitive environmental and cultural heritage values in this coastal setting.

  • An environmental assessment has been undertaken to inform the extent of works for reconstruction of the trails.
  • A cultural heritage assessment is to be undertaken to avoid the potential impact of the works on Aboriginal cultural heritage. The assessment will outline measures to be taken before, during and after the works in order to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area.
  • Plans will be prepared to document the scope of works for reconstruction of the walking tracks.

Consultation and community engagement

Representatives from Mallacoota and District Recovery Association, Friends of Mallacoota and other community representatives joined Council officers on an inspection of the two walks to discuss the possible scope of works and process to be undertaken to re-open the walks.

A Project Reference Group with community representatives is to be established to provide input and be kept informed on the planning for the reopening of the walks.

This page will be updated on a monthly basis, or when important information arises. Please choose to follow this project to receive important updates directly to your inbox.

Funding

This project is funded by the Victorian Government through Emergency Recovery Victoria. 

We welcome your continued interest in this project; project updates will be provided on YourSay in the tab below, when available. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and to receive important information directly to your inbox. 

Should you wish to search for other projects near you, simply type the town name in the search bar.

This popular short walk provides spectacular views over the Mallacoota inlet and beyond to Gabo Island and distant ranges. The walk partially follows the escarpment on the coastline and passes through diverse vegetation and moist gullies full of birdlife. 

The southern section of the walk has been rebuilt and provides access to Bastion Point. This upgrade not only enhances the accessibility of the coastal area but also improves the overall experience for visitors, offering stunning views and a more seamless connection to the natural beauty of the shoreline.

Planning is now underway to reconstruct the northern section of Pittosporum Walk, which provides access from the town and will provide a continuous off road walking track connection between town and Bastion Point.

Also included within the overall project planning is the reopening of the adjoining Devlins Gully Walk, which has been closed for some time whilst environmental matters have been considered. 

Objective and scope

The aim of this project is to reopen the northern segment of Pittosporum Walk and the Devlins Gully Walk, providing safe access for walkers whilst protecting the sensitive environmental and cultural heritage values in this coastal setting.

  • An environmental assessment has been undertaken to inform the extent of works for reconstruction of the trails.
  • A cultural heritage assessment is to be undertaken to avoid the potential impact of the works on Aboriginal cultural heritage. The assessment will outline measures to be taken before, during and after the works in order to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the activity area.
  • Plans will be prepared to document the scope of works for reconstruction of the walking tracks.

Consultation and community engagement

Representatives from Mallacoota and District Recovery Association, Friends of Mallacoota and other community representatives joined Council officers on an inspection of the two walks to discuss the possible scope of works and process to be undertaken to re-open the walks.

A Project Reference Group with community representatives is to be established to provide input and be kept informed on the planning for the reopening of the walks.

This page will be updated on a monthly basis, or when important information arises. Please choose to follow this project to receive important updates directly to your inbox.

Funding

This project is funded by the Victorian Government through Emergency Recovery Victoria. 

We welcome your continued interest in this project; project updates will be provided on YourSay in the tab below, when available. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and to receive important information directly to your inbox. 

Should you wish to search for other projects near you, simply type the town name in the search bar.

Consultation has concluded.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the discussion and provided feedback.

  • 6 May 2025

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    A signage plan has been developed to inform design choices for wayfinding and interpretive signs along the Pittosporum and Devlins Gully walking tracks. This signage plan provides low impact and well considered signage in keeping with the natural environment. This will include:

    • Trail head signage showing connecting walks
    • Access points and other key information
    • Directional signs for first time visitors
    • An interpretive sign to shine a light on the significance of the area

    Minor works on the existing Pittosporum Walk is expected to commence mid-May 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025. Future works including removal of fallen vegetation, remaining burnt infrastructure and debris is scheduled for the coming months before the Pittosporum Walk and Devlins Gully Walk reopens.

    We remind visitors to the area that both the Pittosporum and Devlins Gully Walks remain closed while these works continue.

    This project is funded by the Victorian Government through Emergency Recovery Victoria.


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  • 2 February 2025

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    The Draft Pittosporum Walk and Devlin Walk proposed plans were available for feedback from November to December 2024.

    A total of 41 submissions were received with 100% of respondents providing in principal support for the project, with a small number of responses raising concern regarding access to the Devlin Gully Walk from the Foreshore Caravan Park.

    Minor design considerations will be made to address concern raised.


    What we heard [feedback summary]

    Support for restoring pathways -

    • Restoration will prevent damage from informal tracks and bush bashing.
    • The reopened tracks will greatly benefit both locals and visitors, as they were among the most popular short walks in the area.

    Importance of the walks -

    • They provide safe off-road access to the beach and allow appreciation of the coastal landscape.
    • The tracks are a key part of community infrastructure, originally developed with local input, labour, and funding.

    Nature and scope of repairs -

    • Support for repairs that maintain the natural character of the track (narrow, winding, not gravel).
    • The focus is on repairing existing infrastructure rather than expanding tracks to avoid further environmental impact.
    • Proposed works use similar materials and do not increase infrastructure levels.

    Specific track considerations:

    Pittosporum Walk -

    • Reinstating the full length will allow safe off-road beach access.

    Devlins Gully Walk -

    • Should remain a lower grade walk to protect its sensitive rainforest environment.
    • Support for keeping signage minimal and non-intrusive.
    • General agreement to close access from the campground to allow revegetation of critically endangered temperate coastal rainforest.

    Concerns and other feedback -

    Some concerns about unauthorised tracks from the caravan park to Devlins Gully.

    • Concerns of illegal vegetation clearing.

    Key recommendations for next phase of project

    1. The trail planning, and particularly the wayfinding signage component, must clearly manage the orientation and direction of walkers from the foreshore caravan park to the start of the Devlin Gully and Pittosporum Walks.
    2. Environment protection measures must be incorporated into the construction phase to avoid and minimise any detrimental impact on the sensitive habitat areas.
    3. The trail should be constructed of materials that are in keeping with the existing character. Track surfacing will be the natural soil and mulch material from local vegetation management. No imported gravel or mulch will be used.
    4. Incorporate minimal signage to assist first time visitors with way finding and interpretation about environmental and heritage aspects of the walks.
    5. Integrate seating at strategic locations to improve visitor amenity and provide rest points.
    6. Undertake revegetation in selected locations to improve environmental and landscape values.


    View the engagement report - CLICK HERE

  • 19 November 2024

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    After conducting environmental and cultural heritage assessments, draft plans have been created for the reconstruction of the Pittosporum Walk and the Devlins Walk. These plans outline the necessary work on the track infrastructure, which includes drainage improvements, steps, a boardwalk or bridge, signage, and some careful clearing of vegetation to reopen the paths.

    This proposed project aims to reopen the two walks, establishing Pittosporum Walk as the main trail linking Mallacoota to Bastion Point. Devlins Gully Walk would serve as a secondary option that winds through a valuable littoral rainforest and would also lead visitors into a dynamic estuary area that can vary with changing water levels due to ocean conditions; sometimes making it potentially impassable during high tides.

    Reconstruction of the recently removed Estuary Boardwalk is no longer practical due to the high-risk fluctuating estuary conditions. When water levels permit, visitors can access the remaining section of boardwalk from the sandy gully which connects to the littoral rainforest.

    Key aspects of the proposed works for Pittosporum Walk include:

    • Replacement of the boardwalk/bridge over the creek line that was burnt.
    • Reconstruction of timber and gravel steps either side of the creek line
    • Installation of trail marker posts across Mortimers Paddock linking the two sections of Pittosporum Walk.
    • The trail surface will remain as primarily natural material and not imported gravel.

    Key aspects of the proposed works for Devlins Gully Walk include:

    • Closure of the track crossing the creek from the Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park.
    • Trail and drainage work at the end of Develling Drive to prevent further erosion of the trail.
    • Replacement timber edging along the trail adjoining the creek line.
    • Possible removal of concrete footing to the removed boardwalk.
    • Repair works to the section of existing boardwalk in the littoral rainforest.
    • Replacement of timber steps along the existing trail.
    • Potential installation of interpretive signage providing information about historic elements, ecological values, and cultural heritage.

    We want to hear from you!

    The draft plan for the proposed works is now available for review and feedback; all feedback will be considered when finalising the plans.
    Next Steps

    Directional signage will be incorporated to lead visitors to Bastion Point and interpretive signage will also be developed to highlight the environmental and heritage values of the site.

    Construction is subject to the future availability of funding; all opportunities will be explored.