Community
17 July, 2024
GOR paid parking backflip
JUST days after announcing a consultation process to implement paid parking at key tourist spots along the Great Ocean Road, the State Government appears to have reverse the decision.
Last Monday, the State Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) announced a public consultation process was open on the introduction of visitor parking fees on public land within the Great Ocean Road and Parks, including at the Twelve Apostles and parts of the Shipwreck Coast.
However, the consultation website was quietly taken down and last Thursday a DEECA spokesperson confirmed the proposed visitor parking consultation process was no longer proceeding.
“The Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria’s best tourist destinations because it is accessible for families and we won’t implement any measures that would harm this,” the spokesperson said.
“We will continue to work with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to maintain this beloved part of Victoria and deliver for this region.”
The earlier announcement sparked outrage, with Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan slamming the plan as an impractical way to “plug funding shortfalls”.
He said he was “blindsided” with the proposed new tax which he feared would impact those “who just want some low-cost fun with their families”.
“Along the way stops at toilets, piers, lighthouses and even waterfalls will see travellers taxed to help plug the deficit and chronic underfunding of our iconic region,” he said.
“There is simply no business case that has been offered that tells coastal communities how they will get improved services and amenity.
“This is just Labor’s way to plug the funding short falls.”
Mr Riordan said the Great Ocean Road region had already seen record hikes in land taxes, new Air BnB taxes, and said “the tax hit on regional Victoria must stop”.
“The Allan Labor Government is just using our region as a big new tax pot to fill its budget black holes,” he said.
The Cobden Timboon Coast Times understands operational aspects of the new 12 Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, including parking arrangements, are yet to be finalised.
The Great Ocean Road and Parks Authority will manage the centre, with planning underway on traffic management, pedestrian safety and car parking arrangements.
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