Councillors endorsed plans this week to pursue funding for an overhaul of the tourist attraction, which would result in extensive renovations of the site under a $3 million blueprint.

One of the key elements of the development is likely to be extra sound-and-light shows, with the present Shipwreck event having been a drawcard for visitors for more than a decade.

Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh said extra sound-and-light shows could be rotated seasonally, reflecting different elements of the south-west’s history matched with that particular time of year.

“Renewing the night show is a key part of rejuvenating Flagstaff Hill,” Cr Neoh said. “There are other aspects involved, but the potential for new shows is one of the starting points we are looking at.” City council chief executive Bruce Anson said the evening show had been a key strategy in keeping interstate and overseas visitors in Warrnambool overnight. But its longevity meant many return visitors had seen the show before.

“The sound-and-light show has been an asset but it’s a 10-year-old show with 10-year-old technology,” Mr Anson said.

“There is the potential to look at other aspects of the region’s history while updating what we already have. It’s something that will certainly be explored.”

The city’s draft budget will be released within the next few weeks.

Cr Peter Hulin said the council was not capitalising on Flagstaff Hill’s picturesque views and believed a hotel development should be investigated.

“We need to look at things like building some sort of hotel complex into the cliff site (beneath the main administrative building). There’s fantastic views there and we’d be keeping visitors at the site for longer,” Cr Hulin said.