James Purcell believes part of the $11.3 million funding for Tower Hill should be used to change the exit and entry points at the iconic location.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now a Moyne Shire councillor, Mr Purcell helped source the funding for Tower Hill during his previous incarnation as an independent upper house member of Victorian parliament.
"The plan in place for Tower Hill looks at the safety of the entrance but doesn't go into specific details," Mr Purcell said.
"I think swapping the entrance to Lake View Road and the exit onto the highway makes a lot of sense.
"It appears to me as a much safer option.
"It wouldn't be that hard, you'd just have to change some arrows and markings on the road and some clear signage.
"It could be done at a minimal cost and certainly within the scope of the funding that is there and ready to go.
"The entrance point is a real safety issue, people who are unfamiliar with the area are finding themselves having to go bang and stop in such a hurry to not miss the entrance.
"The current exit is off the highway, a drop in speed limit along Lake View Road could be put in place, it certainly makes sense to me."
The call to swap the entry and exit points is not new, with Mr Purcell first tabling the idea in 2017.
His renewed push comes now that $11.3 million funding is available.
The funding was announced in May 2020, with initial plans including the establishment of a crater rim trail, an event amphitheatre, eco-lodge accommodation options - including cafes and wellness retreats.
A new toilet block, walking path improvements and an upgrade of the Robin Boyd building were among the changes mooted in the heart of the state game reserve.
Some of the works that have been completed as part of the funding include a barbecue replacement, new picnic tables and chairs, new handrails on the Peak Climb and some weed management work.
Mr Purcell said while these early works were a positive, he was not happy with the progress made so far.
"I'm disappointed with the progress, a hell of a lot of work went into getting that money," Mr Purcell said.
"There seems to be too many cooks, nobody has taken the lead and to push it, someone needs to champion it and be on it every day otherwise it will just sit.
"So far is hasn't been big money stuff that has been done, I'd be shocked if $100,000 has been spent."
Mr Purcell said the opportunity was there for indigenous tourism to play a central part in what Tower Hill was about.