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Meters, tolls on agenda for GOR By Luke Voogt Entrance fees, tolls and parking meters could help cover funding shortfalls for Great Ocean Road works, a tourism body has revealed. “I think everything needs to be explored,� said Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) general manager Liz Price. Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay revealed in a letter to this week’s Indy that GORRT was considering the charges as revenue options. Ms Price said GORRT was still in the early stages of investigating funding options but declined to rule out tolls and meters. Any funding model would take residents into account while seeking to maintain the road’s natural charm, she said. “The community is a very big part of the visitor experience. All the money raised would be reinvested in the asset.�
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Chelsea’s jumping for joy with family She’s starred in numerous musical theatre productions but one role in particular is closest to the heart of Newtown’s Chelsea Gibb. “Being a mum really has inspired me to be the best version of myself,� she tells Angie Hilton in the new edition of Geelong Coast Kids. Full of tips, ideas and stories for local families like Chelsea’s, Geelong Coast Kids is available around the region free at various drop-off points.
Ms Price said the road’s 5 million users had many ways of contributing to the “world-class experience�. The revelation follows GORRT calling for $1 billion in private and government investment last week. Chairman Wayne Kayler-Thomson said the tourism body had approached state Treasurer Tim Pallas following his government’s $9.7 billion Port of Melbourne lease. “We have got a very strong business case,� Mr Kayler-Thomson said. “This should be considered as part of the infrastructure spends.� The road contributes $782 million annually to Victoria and generates 6180 jobs, mainly in Melbourne, Mr Kayler-Thomson said. The Federal and Victorian governments committed $50 million for the road over five years in 2012. But Mr Kayler-Thomson said the money was about to run out and the road now required $20 million a year for “basic maintenance�. Continued page 5
THINGS TO DO & PLACES TO GO FOR FAMILIES
welcome to the
Star mum Chelsea Gibbs’s on song
jungle Take a look at Geelong’s newest play space
OUT AND
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IN
How music nurtures development SPRING 2016
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OUT NOW: Geelong Coast Kids.
Proprietor reveals new life for iconic Nash pub PAGE 5
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