As Torquay gears up for the Ripcurl Pro, many residents in the iconic Victorian surf town, including Maurice Cole and members of the local Surfrider branch are concerned about planned redevelopment of the Bells Beach contest area.

The issue centres around parking, access and facilities for commercial coach, bus and mini bus tours in the Bells Reserve, and the Surf Coast Shire actions to accommodate them. According to information on the petition set against the development, the Surf Coast Shire are ‘proceeding with works despite clear and Shire acknowledged local community opposition. If the works are not stopped now the pristine natural environment and sacred surfing resonance of Bells will be destroyed forever’.

The action has already attracted over 1400 signatures.

For more information, see savebellsbeach.com

To find out more and sign the petition, click here...