State government releases grand plans for Tower Hill

Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney released the plan, saying it would "conserve this special landscape, celebrate its cultural heritage, and help people connect with nature".

Upgrading and renovating the park's ageing facilities were identified as a top priority, along with improving tracks and signage to cope with growing visitor numbers.

Ms Tierney said other priority works included "upgrading the visitor information and cultural centre, replacing the toilet block and water tank and enhancing the dance ground".

But the plan also had more ambitious aims, like creating a cycling path between Tower Hill and Koroit, which is often bypassed by tourists, and building "low-impact accommodation" on the eastern crater rim overlooking the park.

The report said to promote overnight stays and support regional tourism, opportunities to provide a low impact eco-lodge with relevant hospitality services, should be explored. It said the accommodation would providing the ultimate wilderness retreat for visitors.

The government announced $11.3 million for Tower Hill in May 2020 as part of a $2.7 billion COVID-19 stimulus package, some of which is already being spent upgrading barbeque facilities, tracks and boardwalks.

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It is unclear how far that funding will go towards implementing the dozens of projects listed in the new plan, but Moyne councillor James Purcell said he thought it would pay for much of it.

"It's a lot of money, I reckon it would get most, if not all, of the projects done," he said.

Cr Purcell, who has campaigned for Tower Hill upgrades, said he thought the plan was "great".

"I think about 90 per cent of it is perfect."

He said the accommodation would probably be controversial, but that wasn't a reason to nix the idea.

"Whether you like it or not, you have to have accommodation. It's going to be controversial to have it (overlooking the park), but that's where people want to be," he said.

Moyne Shire has no official role in the upgrades, which will be run entirely by the state government, but Cr Purcell said it was vital the major projects got underway as soon as possible.

"They're doing a little around the trails now, but the big stuff needs to get started. It needs a paid project manager to make sure it gets pushed along," he said.

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