City council candidate Graham Ryan wants to tap the Melbourne tourist market.
MAKING Warrnambool more attractive to tourists from Melbourne could boost council coffers, according to election candidate Graham Ryan.
Mr Ryan, managing director of transporter Ryan Moves, has called on the city to build closer links with Melbourne to drive the economy.
“We’ve got 4.6 million potential customers in Melbourne only three hours away,” Mr Ryan said.
“We’ve just got to be able to attract those people to Warrnambool.”
Redeveloping the marina and exploring options for al fresco dining in the heart of the city were some of the concepts that could draw extra carloads of tourists and families past Geelong, the candidate proposed.
Mr Ryan said the extra revenue created from a strengthened tourism industry could be used to bankroll large-scale projects, including the transformation of the Warrnambool foreshore.
He said council would be able to boost its earnings without a rate hike.
“We’d all love to see the Reid Oval turned into a major sporting complex.”
He said there was also some concern by residents in west Warrnambool that they could potentially miss out on council projects.
Mr Ryan said Caramut Road had the potential to improve the western gateway to the city.
Ryan Moves, which Mr Ryan oversees, employs about 150 staff with operations throughout western Victoria, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Outlining his reasons for standing for council, Mr Ryan said his intentions were not about “bricks and mortar” but to represent the community.
“You want to be able to look back and have the respect of the people of Warrnambool,” he said.
s.mccomish@standard.fairfax.com.au
