The Andrews Labor Government is supporting tourism in Surf Coast Shire, with Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford today announcing funding of $300,000 to improve road access to a new tourism precinct on the Great Ocean Road.
One of those attractions in the new precinct is the $8 million Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie about five kilometres east of Anglesea, which will create 57 full-time equivalent jobs when it opens in early 2016.
The conditions on the roads to the precinct are inadequate for a tourist attraction that is expected to attract 570,000 patrons by the end of its first year.
Upgrading the access roads will cater for significant increases in traffic, enable them to carry larger vehicles like buses and coaches and provide a stopping option for buses away from the Anglesea Riverbank area.
The project will also help attract businesses to the precinct, creating jobs and boosting tourism and local spending in off-peak holiday seasons.
Works include:
- Infrastructure works to the service road between Elkington and Forrest roads, Bellbrae where it runs parallel to the Great Ocean Road
- Resurfacing treatments along Elkington Road to the entry of the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
- Protection of power infrastructure along the service road
- Upgrades to service road intersections at Forrest and Elkington roads.
The $600,000 Tourism Precinct Enabling Road Infrastructure Project is being managed by Surf Coast Shire Council, who are contributing $250,000. The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is contributing $50,000.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“This project will boost the Surf Coast Shire’s tourism sector, which contributes about $84 million to the region each year and accounts for one in six jobs.”
“The tourism precinct will create jobs, helping offset job losses at the Anglesea Power Station which closed late last month.”
“Supporting projects like this is the aim of our $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which will create jobs and kick-start growth in regional Victoria.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020