Tower Hill has seen tourism increase; stakeholders, activists want more done

The government agency recently held public consultations seeking ideas to shape Tower Hill's future.

Worn Gundidj @Tower Hill member Terry O'Keefe said tourism opportunities were thriving.

"A lot is being done to promote Tower Hill," he said.

"The numbers for people taking our wildlife and Aboriginal cultural heritage tours have doubled in the past three years.

"For the 2018/19 financial year a Parks Victoria vehicle counter tallied 285,000.

"We have increasing numbers and are continually increasing our revenue."

The potential future options for Tower Hill being considered in Parks Victoria's 'Revitalising Tower Hill State Game Reserve' business case include ways to improve infrastructure including the entrance to the reserve, opportunities to preserve and enhance the reserve's Aboriginal cultural heritage and natural values, opportunities for new wildlife and geological tourism and how existing tourism industries can support growth.

The feasibility of linking the reserve with Warrnambool and the Port Fairy Rail Trail are also being considered after previous pushes from former Western Victoria MP James Purcell.

"The intent of the walkway is to link it to the existing rail trail into Tower Hill," he said.

"That way people could ride over a footbridge into the site.

"It would be a great attraction for the community and tourists."

Lifting Tower Hill to a national park status is still being pushed by some groups but Mr Purcell believes the area should stay a state game reserve.

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"Our tolerances have changed and our gun laws have changed and times up to change with these attitudes so it probably should be changed from a game reserve," he said.

"Becoming a National Park however leads to having restrictions making any kind of changes very hard to implement.

"I would want to keep Tower Hill as it is, restriction-free."

President of Friends of Tower Hill Daf Hester hopes the State Game Reserve will change titles so they area can be eligible for grants.

"We desperately want to be reclassified to get extra funding," she said.

"We've written to every politician but only received a handful of replies.

"We need a champion in Parliament for us and we don't have one yet."

Without the Parliamentary voice of Mr Purcell, Ms Hester said much of the plans for Tower Hill have been stalled but she believes the area is still popular for tourists.

The latest data from Tourism Research Australia released in July showed bushwalking and rainforest walks experienced the most growth in international visitor numbers, up 9.6 per cent over two years, followed by guided tours and excursions up 9 per cent.

"The numbers we've received on people coming into the area have slowly risen and that's because it's a beautiful asset and it's free," she said.

"On top of this the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative has been doing a fantastic job with their cultural tours."

Spokeswoman for the Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting Inc Kerrie Allen is hopeful their submission to Parks Victoria on The Future of Tower Hill will put an end to duck shooting in the area.

"From our perspective and birdwatchers will tell you the same thing, it's an ethical thing," she said.

"Birdwatchers and some bushwalkers will not go to places where birds are shot for recreation.

"There's a fundamental difference in values there.

"Tower Hill is missing out on these tourists and wildlife watching is one of the fastest growing past times in the world."

Parks Victoria will release their consultation findings summary on January 2020.

To view the Revitalising Tower Hill State Game Reserve head to engage.vic.gov.au/revitalising-tower-hill-wildlife-reserve

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