Control of the Bells Beach/Djarrak area is set to be transferred from the Surf Coast Shire Council to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.
The council has managed the land since 1971, and will now prepare to hand the land over as part of a plan to transfer more parcels of crown land to the dedicated sea and land manager for the Great Ocean Road.
Surf Coast Shire Cr Mike Bodsworth says the area is incredibly important to the region.
“Bells Beach/Djarrak is a special place not just for the surfing community but for all the community of the Surf Coast,” he said.
“It has been great to see Djarrak shine recently during the Rip Curl Pro.”
Council added that while it the area has been under their authority since the 70’s, there is also 65,000 years of indigenous history in the area, with Djarrak meaning ‘bended arm’ and describing the distinctive shape of the cliffs surrounding the beach.
Council says historical photos and stories have been unearthed illustrating the recent history of management from 1971 to the present day as part of the plans to hand over the control of the area.
