Federal funds to update region’s strategy for visitors

THE next strategic vision for the Great Ocean Road region will be funded through the latest round of the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson visited the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery last week to discuss the $50,000 granted to Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT).

The $50,000 grant to GORRT – under the BBRF’s community investments stream – will go towards the peak body for the tourism economy’s $100,000 project to update their Strategic Master Plan for the Great Road Region Visitor Economy,
which serves as a collaborative framework for six local governments, tourism businesses and community suppliers situated along the Great Ocean Road.

GORRT chief executive officer Wayne Kayler Thompson said the strategic master plan was drawn up five years ago and funds to update it were welcome, especially given the influx in tourism numbers.

“Visitation is already higher than expected.

“54 of the 76 recommendations in this plan have already been done, so we know with the growth that’s expected, a 37 per cent increase by 2025, we need to create a plan for the future.”

He said the funding would be used, in part, to speak to retailers such as GORCI and the others expected to move in nearby about their needs for the future.

GORCI owner Ian Neeland welcomed the funding.

“Any support we can get, as a tourism operator, to work with other tourism operators in the region to attract more visitors to this beautiful part of the world and to different parts of the Great Ocean Road is welcome,” he said.

“We see great potential at the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road – Torquay and Anglesea have a great opportunity to attract many more visitors from Melbourne and beyond.”

“We know and understand how important tourism is on the Great Ocean Road, and Ian and Leanne are a great example of two people who have invested into tourism into this amazing part of the world,” Ms Henderson said.

“GORRT does an amazing job in being the strategic guiding force for our region, and the planning work GORRT does is very important.”