Snapshot of the past

A costs and benefit analysis will be undertaken to determine if a lookout trail should be established in Baw Baw Shire.

Council will undertake a feasibility study to determine the most appropriate lookout sites, potential economic benefit and overall viability of developing a Baw Baw Lookout Trail.

In a report to council, officers said tourism was a significant part of the shire’s economy due to its scenic rural settings, picturesque country villages and proximity to Melbourne.

“Tourism provides direct and indirect benefits, including job creation, economic and business development and a stimulus for improvements in services and infrastructure,” officers said.

Cr Keith Cook called for a report last year, requesting officers to report on the development of a tourist lookout trail.

Officers said the shire had lookouts that showcased the region’s natural beauty.

“This offers the opportunity to develop another tourism product for Baw Baw Shire,” the report said.

The sites proposed to be included in the trail are:

Camp Hill lookout, Drouin East;

Jindivick Cricket Club, Jackson’s Track, Jindivick;

Little Charli’s lookout, Main Neerim Rd, Neerim South;

Red Hill lookout, Main Neerim Rd;

Mount Baw Baw summit lookout, Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort;

Barnes lookout, Walhalla Rd, Baw Baw;

Blue Rock Dam spillway, Willow Grove; Mt Speed lookout, Mt Speed Road, Trafalgar;

Mount Worth State Park, Allambee Estate Rd, Allambee; and,

Invermay Rd, Ripplebrook

The feasibility study will determine any additional appropriate sites to be included in the trail.

Tourism Research Australia statistics released in September last year indicated 21 per cent of all visitors to regional Victoria were interested in nature based experiences.

“While it is difficult to provide hard evidence of the value that a dedicated series of lookouts would bring to the shire’s visitor economy, there are some similar ventures that have proven beneficial, particularly in regional areas,” officers said.

Cr Cook said the last thing he wanted to do was put forward a motion that put a rates impost on ratepayers during these difficult times.

He said the lookout project would be great to kickstart visitors and get tourism back on the ground.

“Over the next few months if these are only a short drive away and if people need to get out of the home, they could go for a drive and walk around.

“This trail is a worthwhile project,” he said. Cr Tricia Jones said the lookouts trail would encourage tourists to stop and take in our beautiful shire.

“I agree we have limited budget for this at the moment and support putting it out for funding,” she said.

Cr Peter Kostos said the trail would give people an opportunity to look around the shire and hopefully spend some money while they were here.

Cr Michael Leaney said given the current situation council has to be mindful of where it spends money.

“The tourism industry is in major strife. Bushfires had an impact but now tourism businesses have simply closed the doors.

Cr Leaney reminded councillors that council had already signed off on a plan for key tourism destinations including Yarragon, Noojee and Mountain Rivers.

“While it’s a nice idea we need to keep everything in context.

“There are lots of things on those lists that haven’t been achieved,” he said.

A photograph of the Warragul Gas Works in Anderson St, Warragul c.1960.

In the foreground is the brick building that housed the coking coal and later briquettes and retorts for producing gas.

At the rear can be seen the gasometer for the storage of the gas.

In 1887, J. Coates & Co was accepted by the Warragul Council to lay mains in streets. Shortly after, the old kerosene lights and tallow candles were replaced by gas for lighting, cooking and heating.

After 25 years, the company was taken over by the Colonial Gas Association and ultimately the Gas & Fuel Corporation.

The gas was produced locally before being supplied from the Lurgy plant at Morwell and then natural gas from Bass Strait. The site in Anderson St is still where the town is serviced from.

For many years, Archibald Pederson was the manager followed by his son-in-law Ellis Tinker. Many of their descendants still live in the district.

Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul and District Historical Society.

The society’s museum at the Old Shire Hall in Warragul is currently closed.

If you have any additional information about this photograph, please contact The Gazette on 5623 5666 or editorial@warragulgazette.com.au.