Shipwreck Coast Marketing chief executive Carole Reid has called for the shire to reject parts of an independent planning panel report which opposed rezoning of four sites between Peterborough and Moonlight Head.

“This is an absolute opportunity that should not be missed,” she told The Standard.

“These investors have identified a gap in the high-end tourism market, but won’t fiddle around. They’ll look elsewhere if the doors close here.”

The council is expected to make a decision next month on the four coastal sites and 16 others elsewhere in the municipality which were identified in a consultant’s report on potential new tourism ventures.

Public objections were lodged for the coastal proposals for Peterborough airfield, farmland just west of Port Campbell, farmland east of Princetown and land at Moonlight Head.

Ms Reid said there was no five-star accommodation along the coastal road to satisfy an identified demand by Australian and overseas visitors.

“We have an iconic tourism drawcard, but we are losing opportunities,” she said.

“It’s not just the multi-millionaires and megastars, but also ordinary Australians who might want a special treat in a special destination.

“This type of accommodation is not five-storey resorts, but unique settings in the natural environment.

“It would open new markets of visitors who would fly into Melbourne or into an upgraded Warrnambool airport.

“There would be new jobs and business opportunities for locals to service this new stream of visitors.”

Ms Reid said the panel report and objectors implied there was already adequate accommodation, but failed to answer the question, “are we providing what the consumer wants?”.

She said gaps in the market, particularly around Port Campbell, were clearly identified by an in-depth infrastructure report released in November.

“Shipwreck Coast Marketing will continue to support initiatives that respond to consumer expectations so long as they are sympathetic to the core nature-based strengths and beauty of the region,” she said.

V/Line chief executive Rob Barnett said the survey of more than 11,000 people revealed a large number of Melburnians used rail to travel to cultural events and attractions in regional Victoria.

“This is an untapped market we are going to target to help lift regional tourism in country Victoria,” he said.