Getting around one of Victoria’s most popular coastal resorts will be safer and more convenient after the construction of a coastal trail backed by a $60,000 grant announced today by the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP.
A 1.1 kilometre shared pathway will be built from Thomson St to Marriner’s Lookout Road in the Great Ocean Road town of Apollo Bay.
Ms Tierney said the 2.5 wide all-access trail would prove a major boost to the town, especially during summer when population swells from 1400 to 15,000.
“The trail will connect all the key areas in this popular coastal community,” Ms Tierney said.
“Being able to walk or cycle between the township and businesses and accommodation providers will be a great boost for the town and visitors.
“This will help keep tourism growing while giving permanent residents an important infrastructure asset.”
Ms Tierney said Colac Otway Shire would develop the $120,000 works project – Apollo Bay Coastal Trail Stage 1.
She said the trail would be the first stage of the proposed Apollo Bay to Skenes Creek Coastal Trail, which will provide an all-access off-road link between the two towns.
The trail will link to the start of the great Ocean Walk, which runs from the centre of Apollo Bay to Princetown.
Within Apollo Bay, the trail will link to the harbour, which is earmarked for development as a focal point in the town.
Ms Tierney said tourism contributed $120 million a year to Apollo Bay’s economy and was positioning the town to rely less on the fishing industry.
“The sustainability of the Apollo Bay community depends on opportunities for growth in the tourism industry,” Ms Tierney said.
Ms Tierney said the grant was from the Brumby Government’s Small Towns Development Fund was helping Victoria’s smaller towns create jobs, drive economic growth and improve community infrastructure.
Ms Tierney said the project typified fund initiatives, which were making a big difference to small towns.
The fund has provided $36.6 million toward 398 community and social infrastructure projects worth $78 million right across provincial Victoria.