Great Ocean Road infrastructure is “embarrassing” and desperately needs funding to meet visitor expectations, a south-west MP says.
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Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay made the comments in Parliament, calling on Tourism Minister John Eren to throw his support behind the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan.
“This summer we saw a huge increase in visitation. While this is terrific – it put a huge pressure on deteriorating infrastructure,” Mr Ramsay said.
“It has never been clearer that funding is needed for upgrades – not least of which includes a set of toilets at the start of the Great Ocean Road. The government must get the funding sorted now and deliver the projects now. To think tourists can’t even access toilets is embarrassing.”
The Shipwreck Coast Master Plan was launched in 2015 and covers from the Bay of Islands west of Peterborough to Point Ronald east of Princetown.
The plan states that “from a visitor’s perspective, the Shipwreck Coast, while clearly a world-class attraction, currently over promises and under delivers”.
In May 2016, the state government announced $9.8 million in funding as part of the first stage of the plan. It is being spent on new lookouts at the Twelve Apostles and The Blowhole, a pedestrian bridge at Port Campbell and WiFi and a digital interpretation platform.
Mr Eren said future funding for the plan would be taken into consideration for the 2017-18 state budget.
“The Great Ocean Road is one of the nation’s most iconic destinations and Victoria’s top tourism drawcard – and we’re doing everything we can to support local communities and attract visitors from all over the world,” he said.
The region attracts millions of visitors a year, but the average stay is less than 40 minutes with a spend of only 18 cents.
Mr Ramsay said the funding for the region must ensure that world-class expectations were met.
“It’s also about protecting and boosting the reputation of one of Australia’s international icons. We can’t afford to lose this – or the jobs it generates.
“Let’s not forget there are also private operators out there right now who are ready to invest – we don’t want apathy to force them away. We need their money and their ideas here.”