A NEW sound and light show has been unveiled as the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill.
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The show, Tales of the Shipwreck Coast, is part of the $2.95 million redevelopment which was officially opened on Friday night.
The state government has contributed $1.95 million to the project with Warrnambool City Council chipping in the remaining $1 million.
Warrnambool City Council mayor Robert Anderson is confident the new-look Flagstaff Hill will translate to more tourism dollars.
“Flagstaff Hill is an essential part of tourism for Warrnambool,” Mr Anderson said.
“When people come to Flagstaff Hill we need to provide them with an experience so they will keep coming back. What the redevelopment has helped us do is create more activity around the 40 buildings we have at Flagstaff Hill.
“Add that to the wonderful volunteers we have dressed in period costumes and it is an interactive experience.
“We can’t afford to rest on our laurels, we have to keep upgrading our facilities.”
Mr Anderson said part of the redevelopment was new mobile phone apps to help hearing and sight impaired people navigate their way through Flagstaff Hill.
Other features of the redevelopment include an orientation theatre that presents a Welcome to Country, improvements to the water wall, improved lighting around the village, a shuttle bus and new interactive village displays.
Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Danielle Green, who attended the opening, said the project has protected and rejuvenated an important tourism attraction for Warrnambool.
“The revitalised Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is set to attract visitors from right across the state,” Ms Green said.
“Locals and visitors cherish the historic charm of the village and will love the new sound and light show. There is now even more reason to head to Warrnambool and enjoy the history of the Shipwreck Coast.”
Upper house Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney was also excited about the revamp.
“This is the facelift our historic maritime village deserved, preserving its history and giving more visitors the chance to experience all it has to offer,” Ms Tierney said.
Entry to Flagstaff Hill is free this weekend.
