INVERLOCH’S iconic Eagles Nest is a spectacular sight viewed by tens of thousands of visitors each year.
It is one of the great places for visitors and locals to take in the wonderous coastline vistas and view the rock outcrop and cliff caves.
However, this experience has been lost due to excessive fast-grown vegetation which has grown so high that it has almost blocked the majority of lookout views.
Inverloch Tourism Association president Glenn Morris is pushing hard for the problem vegetation to be trimmed and invasive species to be removed.
“We can’t stand by and see this fantastic coastal vantage point be overwhelmed with vegetation such that nobody can actually see Eagles Nest let alone the coastal views up towards Shack Bay and Cape Paterson,” he said.
“Parks Victoria are aware of the issue, but nothing has been done at the moment and we are approaching Easter when visitors to Inverloch and the coastal road will be denied a memorable lookout.
“We even have volunteers willing to help with selective vegetation removal/trimming should lack of available manpower be the reason for inaction.”
The issues are exacerbated by the fact that visitors are now climbing over the safety barrier and positioning themselves close to the cliff edge in order to take the signature photo of the rock pillar.
This is placing members of the public at a high risk of a fatal fall.
“We saw this firsthand during a visit two weeks ago and I was shocked given how windy it was on the day. Some visitors are clearly ignoring the risk and climbing over the safety fence barrier then walking around the shrubs to the cliff edge to get the iconic photo. The worn dirt pathway between the safety barrier and cliff edge suggests many visitors are risking their lives going to such efforts.
Selective trimming/removal of vegetation (to reinstate the views) is the immediate best way to ensure members of the public don’t take their lives into their own hands,” Mr Morris said.
Ecotourism attractions play a large part in the appeal of Inverloch as a destination to visit.
Ongoing management of such attractions is essential.
The community is naturally concerned if it is denied the ability to enjoy the Eagles Nest Lookout.
“It is time to instigate proactive plant growth management to preserve views from Eagles Nest and, in fact, all lookouts on the coastal road,” Mr Morris said.
“Lookouts are designed to attract visitors, so it is essential that the relatively small amount of vegetation that potentially blocks the views, is regularly checked and proactively managed. We have other points at the lookout where new vegetation can be planted without affecting the views. This will more than compensate for what is removed. For now, Inverloch just needs one of its prime tourism vantage points restored back to the state before the vegetation overgrowth occurred over the past 12 months.
“We don’t want fatalities – we just want our fabulous lookout reinstated to its former glory.”