BIG STEPS FORWARD

$370M BOOST FOR TOURISM IN CIT Y DEAL

NEW steps at the Gibson Steps passing through the cliffs and down to the beach will help to revitalise a tired Twelve Apostles tourism attraction, says Federal Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Minister Alan Tudge.

Speaking at the launch of the Geelong City Deal yesterday, Mr Tudge said the $370 million in funding would revitalise the tourism economy of Geelong and the Shipwreck Coast.

More than seven million people visit the Great Ocean Road each year — more than the Great Barrier Reef.

Despite the high level of visitation, the average visitor spends only 17 cents at the Twelve Apostles.

“At the moment, of the five million tourists who visit this part of the world each year, about two-thirds just come and go,” he said.

“Many people come down to this beautiful part of Australia but do day trips.”

Mr Tudge described the new commitments to the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan as “super exciting”.

“It’s an iconic part of Australia and yet there’s really so little infrastructure down there at the moment so people literally do go down there, take a look at Twelve Apostles, and then drive back,” he said.

“There’s going to be a new visitor centre down at the Twelve Apostles, an upgrade to the Glenample Homestead, new Gibson Steps, which will actually go through the cliff face so you can walk through a tunnel down to the beach, and a new amphitheatre as well.

“Importantly, $23 million will be provided for the underlying infrastructure which enables new businesses to set up down there.

“You might have a hotel down there, or other restaurants and cafes so you can

really make it an experience over a period of days.”

State Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said the City Deal was “above politics”.

“I’m very pleased that the adults got in the room, nutted this out, and got an agreement between three levels, ” Ms Symes said.

“Everyone is going to be held accountable to deliver fantastic assets, infrastructure and really activate Geelong, the Shipwreck Coast and the Great Ocean Road.”

Senator Sarah Henderson, who fought for many of the City Deal commitments as the former MP for Corangamite, said it was a “very exciting” day

for Geelong and the Great Ocean Road.

“I’ve been advocating for the City Deal for a very long time and it was a great day when that was announced,” Senator Henderson said.

“It’s now fantastic to see the three levels of government working together and driving an enormous amount of investment into our region.”

But Corangamite MP Libby Coker said the Federal Government’s record on infrastructure investment in Victoria was poor.

“Victoria was receiving, in the last financial year, 7.7 per cent of the national infrastructure budget,” Ms Coker said.

“Victorians make up one in four Australians. Victoria is Australia’s fastest growing state — and Geelong is one of the fastest growing parts of Victoria.

“We haven’t been getting our fair share.

“I urge the Morrison Government to bring forward the funding for a range of Corangamite projects, including the Queenscliff Harbour project, the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, Apollo Bay Harbour, Point Grey Project in Lorne and the amenities upgrades along the Great Ocean Road, including at Kennett River. “The Victorian Government has been doing the heavy lift

ing for too long.”