Riding the boom: Tracey Mossop and David Andveza prepare to serve up some more treats to travellers at Inverleigh.
ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG’S ring road has created a boomtown on the city’s western doorstep, according to business operators.
They credit increasing traffic on Hamilton Highway with creating jobs and dramatically driving up property values at Inverleigh.
General store and post office operator Tracey Mossop said she had employed five extra staff to cater for the influx of visitors.
She believed that travellers who previously used Princes Highway to reach western Victorian centres such as Warrnambool and Portland were now using the “more-convenient” Hamilton Highway.
“We’ve increased our number of employees and it’s got so busy we’re looking at increasing staff again,” Ms Mossop said.
“We noticed an immediate effect when the ring road opened and it’s getting busier all the time. More people are getting to know it’s a better route – even people going down to Lorne and Apollo Bay will come through Inverleigh then divert down through the back roads.”
Ms Mossop said her business was now serving about 1000 coffees a week.
“We’re doing an incredible amount of coffee. When I first took over the business we purchased a coffee machine but were only making around 20 a week.
“Now I stand in the shop some days, look around and wonder how on Earth we’re doing so well.”
ResCom real estate agent Seka Powell said buyers were snapping up properties at Inverleigh because the ring road had enhanced travel between the town and Melbourne.
Two-acres lots that sold for $25,000 10 years ago were now selling for close to $300,000, she said.
“Inverleigh is just hot. It’s the flavour of the month, the Highton of the country,” Ms Powell said.
“We knew the ring road would always make a difference but it’s opened up the gates completely.
“We sold six and a half acres of land with a beautiful homestead on it for $302,000 in 2002. It would now be worth between $650,000 and $750,000.”
