A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a kiosk at the Twelve Apostles is out of Parks Victoria's hands.Environment Minister Gavin Jennings is considering the proposal, which would allow refreshments to be sold at the site's visitor centre.A total of 51 public submissions were received, 33 of which opposed the development, Parks Victoria strategic relations manager Elaine Carbines said."Although the numbers were not evenly balanced the arguments for and against were," she said.Corangamite Shire councillors unanimously opposed the kiosk, fearing it would severely impact traders in nearby towns and diminish the natural beauty of the site."It would lessen the experience if visitors arrived to find coffee in a plastic cup and a muffin in a plastic bag," Mayor Ruth Gstrein said.Ms Carbines said the kiosk would only sell a limited range of pre-packaged food, hot and cold drinks. She said the facility would include touch screen computers, which would display information about the region's other natural attractions, food outlets and accommodation."Our aim is to provide people with information, which is currently not available, about what else the region has to offer," she said. "It will show people that there is more here than just the Twelve Apostles."About 1.5 million people visit the attraction each year. It is estimated half of those do not go any further than the Twelve Apostles.
