NEW world-class tourist facilities on the Great Ocean Road are one step closer with spending on the long-awaited Shipwreck Coast Master Plan fully funded in the 2019/20 state budget.
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The budget's Geelong and Shipwreck Coast City Deal includes $1.5 million to establish a new statutory authority to manage the Great Ocean Road and surrounding areas.
The master plan contains 72 projects all up.
While unable to provide a timeline for all the works, a state government spokeswoman said they would be revealed in coming weeks.
"Tenders for construction of the Saddle Lookout at the Twelve Apostles and the Port Campbell Pedestrian Bridge have closed," she said.
"We are evaluating the responses and undertaking final assessments and approvals. The project is due to be completed by 2021.
"We'll be communicating more detail on construction timelines in the coming weeks."
The Port Campbell township interface plan, complete with a lookout, boardwalk deck and visitor information centre is predicted to cost $21.6 million.
The Loch Ard precinct plan, which includes the highly anticipated Blowhole lookout, Twelve Apostles trail and Loch Ard lookout, is expected to cost $15.6 million.
The Twelve Apostles plan will cost an estimated $58 million with works encompassing a saddle lookout beam, Great Ocean walk trail and Twelve Apostles visitor pod.
A new visitor experience centre will act as the main entry point and gateway for tourists visiting the Twelve Apostles and also a centre point for visitors throughout the iconic Shipwreck Coast.
$108.15 million has been jointly allocated by the Andrews Labor Government and the Commonwealth to deliver priority projects under stage two of the plan.
Minister for Environment Lily D'Ambrosio last year revealed new designs for infrastructure projects at Twelve Apostles' saddle lookout, the Port Campbell Creek pedestrian bridge and the blow hole lookout, as part of the master plan.
$1.5 million has been put aside for The Great Ocean Road Action Plan, which is based on feedback from the local community around how the area should be managed and includes a range of reforms to preserve and enrich the south-west coastal area, a government spokeswoman said.
The Great Ocean Road Taskforce was established as a dedicated group with two co-chairs, Traditional Owners, a panel of local experts and CEOs from the five councils. Their role was to review and provide recommendations as to how the Great Ocean Road region could be managed better into the future.
The Taskforce made 26 recommendations which carefully considered community feedback provided in face-to-face conversations with 780 people and more than 570 submissions. This feedback has informed the Plan.
They will be hosting community forums in 13 towns across May and June. The forums will provide a high-level update on the Great Ocean Road Action Plan and seek input to shape the development of long-term objectives and a shared vision for the future of the region.
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