Warrnambool City Council says Flagstaff Hill revamp on the cards

The tourist attraction has consistently been in the spotlight for failing to turn a profit, but council is hinting at a future investment at the site.

Budget figures show an $897,000 loss for Flagstaff Hill and Visitor Information Centre for the next financial year.

In outlining the council's future vision for the city in the Council Plan for 2021-2025, mayor Vicki Jellie said that "looking further ahead" the council would "also investigate the possibilities and opportunities provided by Flagstaff Hill".

Cr Ben Blain told Monday's council meeting that part of their vision was getting Flagstaff Hill to be a better attraction.

Council documents have earmarked 2026/27 as a year it is hoping to get grant money for a Flagstaff Hill revamp.

The council's monthly financial report says Flagstaff Hill's strong tourist season has delivered "strong results" with increased admission and gift shop sales.

Day time visitors from December to March are up 20 per cent on the five-year average.

During March alone there were 3218 visitors - a 14 per cent increase on the five-year average.

The night show in march attracted 1255 visitors - a seven per cent increase on the five year average during a time when it was running at 50 per cent capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A bumper summer brought 11,444 visitors to the village between December and January alone - an increase of more than 30 per cent over the same period last year.

Attendance over January at the Visitor Information Centre was 34,912 visitors - more than 1100 a day.

The council said gift shop sales "performed well given the impact of the pandemic" with $150,000 worth of sales from July 2020 to March 2021.