General News
27 June, 2023
Would you pay to visit 12 Apostles?
A FEE for tourists to visit the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road is now “highly likely”, according to Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur.
A FEE for tourists to visit the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road is now “highly likely”, according to Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur.
She said the Victorian Minister for the Environment Ingrid Stitt has not denied that fees could be charged.
In a letter responding to questions from the Mrs McArthur, Ms Stitt said “…no decision has been made on any fees for the Twelve Apostles”.
Mrs McArthur said that will provide no comfort to anyone.
“As the old saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” she said.
Minister Stitt’s letter to Mrs McArthur went on to say: “Any user fees associated with the Twelve Apostles would be established consistent with legislative and regulatory development processes, including impact assessments and consultation.”
Mrs McAthur said the Minister’s failure to rule out potential fees was “very telling”.
“When the options are yes or no, she hasn’t said no,” she said.
“In fact, she has outlined how it is that they would be established.
“That tells us that user fees at the 12 Apostles are likely. A Minister doesn’t make such particular comments on a whim.”
Mrs McArthur said the letter also said “…any review of fees would be undertaken in partnership with key stakeholders and the local community.”
Mrs McArthur has previously indicated user fees could be appropriate if directed to the costs faced by local councils in the provision of car parks, toilets, rubbish collection and road maintenance.
“But I do not support tourist fees if they are simply a revenue raiser by the quango now in charge of the Great Ocean Road – the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority,” she said.
“This authority was supposed to remove the 30 duplicated management authorities for the road.
“Instead, GORCAPA became a layer on top and everyone in every government and semi government agency kept their job.
“Now they are obviously scratching around to work out how they might be self-sustaining. Taxes and charges are their obvious solution.”
Mrs McArthur said tourist fees should not go to this “bulging bureaucracy”.
“Nor should it go to the $108 million tourist facility being built with state and federal funds on what is currently privately owned land,” she said.
“The compulsory takeover of land - where the owners are prepared to build an incredible facility without the need for taxpayer funds – is offensive and just bad policy.
“Charging fees for access to this site would also be wrong.”
Would you pay to visit the 12 Apostles? Do you believe their should be a fee to visit the iconic tourist destination?
Send your thoughts to Cobden Timboon Coast Times, 124 Manifold Street, Camperdown, VIC 3260 or email ctctimes@wdnews.com.au.