Taskforce to help the Great Ocean Road to thrive

An expert Taskforce has been established to protect and grow the Great Ocean Road and fast-track the projects that attract visitors to the landmark attraction.

The Taskforce will be co-chaired by former Victorian Ministers for Transport Terry Mulder and Peter Batchelor. Its primary goal will be to encourage more tourism and investment in the region.

Tourism is the lifeblood of many businesses in our shire and neighbouring municipalities and the Great Ocean Road is both a destination in its own right and a critical link for the many travellers who visit each year.

The goal in supporting tourism is to create sustainable township economies. The right kind of infrastructure or experience can encourage visitors to stay longer.

It will also feature Surf Coast Shire Council CEO, Keith Bailie, G21 Chief Executive Elaine Carbines, former Chair of Victorian Coastal Council Diane James AM, Great Ocean Road Tourism Chair Wayne Kayler-Thomson and the chief executives from the other four local councils.

The Taskforce will identify ways to improve tourism and investment and projects that will boost the local economy. It will be charged with the role of boosting visitation to keep local businesses and traders busy – and creating jobs for locals.

The Labor Government is providing $1.3 million to establish the Taskforce, including $80,000 for local councils to speed up planning applications.

The first role of the Taskforce will be to work out what is and isn’t working when it comes to creating opportunities for the tourist hot spot. The Taskforce will report back to the Labor Government before the end of the year – and then again with a final report in 2018.