Tourism wasted

Jane Emerick
A Torquay tourism group has labelled plans to leave the town’s visitor information centre at Surf City Plaza a “wasted opportunity”.
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association vicepresident Julian Sweeny said the group had pressured council to relocate the information centre to the lefthand side of Surf Coast Highway at the north end of town with a proposed civic precinct.
Mr Sweeney said the precinct was Torquay’s “chance” to mark the start of the Great Ocean Road on the town’s doorstep.
He spoke out after the Independent last month revealed consultants were considering renovating the visitor information centre at its existing location rather than move it to the site of the $18 million civic precinct.
Torquay councillor Ron Humphrey told the Independent consultants had also lopped a swimming pool and relocation of Surfworld Museum from the plans.
“This is just cutting corners in Torquay,” Mr Sweeney said.
“Businesses in Torquay are very reliant on tourism and if people can’t find the visitor information centre, then how are they going to find businesses.
“We don’t want it hidden behind Rip Curl and Quiksilver.”
Mr Sweeney said the civic precinct would be a “waste” if it did not include a tourist information centre.
“That is a prime location to generate income for tourism businesses on the Surf Coast, not to only house a bunch of councillors” Mr Sweeney said.
“The idea was always was to put the information centre on the main road, on the left hand side where people could easily see it and access it.
“A lot of visitors don’t know Gilbert Street exists and we can’t rely on locals to prop us up 12 months a year.”
Surf Coast Shire announced the proposed civic precinct in May. A spokesperson said it would include “muchneeded” sport, recreation and community facilities.
The shire has until September 30 to finalise its purchase of a 20hectare site off the highway for the civic precinct.
The Independent revealed last year that the shire would investigate moving Surfworld and the visitor information centre to the site.