The Brumby Government is supporting an upgrade of the Colac Visitor Information Centre with a $60,000 grant announced today by the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP.
“Colac’s proximity to many local natural and built attractions like the Otways and the Great Ocean Road makes it a regular thoroughfare for people travelling in south-west Victoria,” Ms Tierney said.
“The Colac Visitor Information Centre VIC, which attracts about 30,000 visitors per year is an important tourist facility, helping attract visitors from the Great Ocean Road into the hinterland.
The project, which involves an internal upgrade of the Centre to improve operational activities and increase the provision of visitor information, includes:
• Reconfiguring the entrance to the centre, including relocating the information desk
• Installing an additional internet kiosk (pay-per-use) to provide electronic visitor information
• Improving access in and around the centre
• Providing a designated retail area to allow for additional income into the Centre
• Reducing clutter within the centre to allow for improved airflow and natural light.
Ms Tierney said the Victorian Government was supporting the project because it would help increase retail sales, improve access for tourists to the Centre and provide improved internet access to electronic visitor information.
“With more available space the centre will be able to better market local operators and provide more comfortable facilities for visitors,” Ms Tierney said.
“Reconfiguring the internal area of the building will provide a more spacious and user-friendly environment and result in better use of available space by removing barriers and making use of an underutilised meeting room.”
Ms Tierney said Victorian Government funding for the $80,000 project would be provided to Colac Otway Shire Council through Regional Development Victoria’s Small Towns Development Fund.
“This project typifies initiatives supported by the Small Towns Development Fund, which are making a big difference to towns in provincial Victoria,” Ms Tierney said.
“The Small Towns Development Fund is helping Victoria’s smaller towns create jobs, drive economic growth and improve community infrastructure.
“So far, the Fund has contributed in excess of $40.9 million to 427 announced capital works projects throughout rural and regional Victoria with a total value estimated to be more than $88 million.”
