This was published 5 years ago
Great Ocean Road councils propose toll or entry fee for visitors
By Simone Fox Koob
The Twelve Apostles are one of Victoria's most popular tourist attractions.Credit: Craig Abraham
Tourists visiting the Great Ocean Road could be subject to a road toll or entry fee under plans being considered by three local councils.
Colac Otway, Moyne and Corangamite shires have backed the idea of introducing some form of user-pays scheme for visitors heading to the popular tourist destination, which would inject money back into the local economy to pay for major repair works to the roads and facilities.
Ideas that have been floated include a road toll, a day pass or entry fee, or charges to use facilities such as toilets and car parks.
Great Ocean Road visitors could face tolls or fees.Credit: Robert Blackburn
Colac Otway Shire Mayor Joe McCracken said the council was advocating for a user-pays system, but had not settled on a particular scheme.
“Ultimately the state government through the [Great Ocean Road] Taskforce has to engage with other stakeholders,” he said.
“Once those conversations have been had, then it’s time to talk about what the model might look like. We don’t advocate for a tolling position, we advocate for a user-pay system, where the user may be charged for certain facilities.”
He said the system would apply to visitors, not locals, and could encompass fees to access the car park and toilets.
"People come for days trips, have their packed lunches with them, use the toilets at Apollo Bay, take a selfie at the Twelve Apostles and head back to Melbourne. Through that experience, there is very little to no injection to the local economy. In order to extract some sort of benefit, some sort of user-pay system will be spoken about," he said.
The Great Ocean Road Taskforce was set up last year by the state government to protect the tourism hot spot, and converses with stakeholders to recommend reforms.
Councils have made submissions to the taskforce outlining their vision for ongoing site management. The taskforce will report its final recommendations to government by the end of the year.
In its submission to the taskforce, Moyne Shire said a toll system could be implemented.
“There are a number of options for funding a new agency and its functions. One could be a toll on the road [or part thereof] with exemptions for locals,” the report states.
“Parking and entrance fees could be levied at the main points of attraction. Tour operators could also be levied as they are at the Great Barrier Reef for conducting their business within the area.”
Moyne Shire mayor Mick Wolfe said he believed a road toll would be an option only if state and federal funding wasn’t sufficient to carry out the improvements.
“The bottom line is it does need major funding. I don’t like tolls. However the bottom line is the whole project needs funding,” he said.
“A lot of work is needed on the road itself, and the facilities along the route are inadequate. There is a lot of work to be done, and it’s beyond all the councils combined or any individual council to fund it.
“I think we are unique in a way, people can come here and enter our national parks without being hit in the pocket, I don’t like the idea of hitting them for money every time they turn the corner.”
The government pledged about $150 million in last week’s state budget to the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan, which aims to improve visitor experience and grow economic benefits along the coastal route. The Great Ocean Road attracts roughly 5 million day visitors a year.
- With The Warrnambool Standard
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