Labor pledges $3 million for region’s famous landmarks

AN ELECTED Shorten Labor Government would invest $3 million towards the greater protection of the Twelve Apostles, the Great Ocean Road, Otway Ranges and Bells Beach, Labor’s Corangamite candidate Libby Coker announced earlier this week.

Ms Coker said under a Shorten Labor Government, she would work with the state government, local government and traditional owner representatives to safeguard the region’s “iconic locations”.

“The pressures on the region from both increased population and tourism has led to biodiversity loss and impact to the environment,” Ms Coker said.

“I have advocated very hard for this $3 million investment into greater protection for the Twelve Apostles, the Great Ocean Road, Otway Ranges and Bells Beach.

“I know how important these iconic locations are for the environment, but I also know the community wants them protected.”

Ms Coker said she would lead the initial consultation process alongside key stakeholders – including Great Ocean Road Tourism, local businesses and unions – to consider and make recommendations for two options:
• Whether to initiate the process for the Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road and its scenic environs to be included on the World Heritage List
• Whether the creation of a jointly managed Commonwealth-State National Park could be suitable for the region.

Ms Coker said if the stakeholder group recommended both options, an elected Shorten government would pursue the two.

“I’m fighting for the greater protection of these beautiful, natural assets,” she said.

“Not only are they environmentally significant, they are culturally significant for our nation’s first people.”

Ms Coker said the establishment of a National Park in Corangamite could see the initiation of an admission fee for interstate and international travellers, which in turn could be placed in a funding trust for conservation and tourism purposes.

Victorian residents would be exempt from any fees.

The Liberal Party made a $6 million pledge to address similar issues on Wednesday May 15.

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek joined Ms Coker on the day of the announcement at Torquay’s pre-polling booths in the Coles carpark.