Delegation seeks $152m for Shipwreck Coast projects

A DELEGATION of local leaders headed to Canberra this week to lobby the federal government to invest millions of dollars into the Shipwreck Coast.

The group, which was to meet with ministers, shadow ministers and department officials from Tuesday, made the trip to explain the challenges facing the Shipwreck Coast and promote opportunities for $152 million of joint government and private spending in key region-building projects detailed in the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan.

Projects include a world-class visitor experience centre, vastly upgraded visitor facilities at the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, improved visitor transport and town facilities and environmental works.

Members of the delegation included Regional Development Australia Barwon South West Committee chair and Warrnambool City Council chief executive officer Bruce Anson, Great Ocean Road Tourism chair Wayne Kayler-Thomson, Surf Coast Shire chief executive officer Keith Baillie and G21 chief executive officer Elaine Carbines.

According to a joint statement from the delegation, the master plan has “had a good hearing from politicians” so far but this week’s trip would “reinforce the need for funding as part of the coming federal budget or a potential federal-state City Deal funding package for Geelong and the Great Ocean Road”.

The Shipwreck Coast runs 28 kilometres along Victoria’s south-west from Princetown to the Bay of Islands and includes the Port Campbell National Park, the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park and the Bay of Islands Coastal Park.

The state government has already committed $14.8 million towards implementation works towards the master plan, such as improvements and maintenance at the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, viewing areas, carpark and associated facilities.

The $152 million package includes 37 integrated infrastructure projects to drive transformation and encourage private investment, to be delivered sequentially over four to five years.

The investment would support and encourage private sector investment in accommodation and other visitor experiences and services.

According to the delegation, the $152 million investment would produce $840 million of economic benefits over 20 years and sustain 1,300 direct and indirect jobs over nine years.