Media Release – Labor to protect the Great Ocean Road – Wednesday, 1 May 2019

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $53 million over the next two years to protect the national icon that is the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is a natural attraction growing in popularity, hosting iconic events like the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Falls Festival and the Lorne Pier to Pub.

Whilst home to these events, the Great Ocean Road’s viability as a national icon has been reduced by the lack of action on climate change from Scott Morrison and the Liberals.

If we want to ensure this truly unique part of Australia remains accessible then urgent action needs to be taken, specifically for protection works, upgrades to the road, tourist facilities, viewpoints and visitor safety.

A Shorten Labor Government will work closely with the Andrews Labor Government, local councils and tourism authorities to make sure the region can not only handle existing tourism demand but drive growth in the sector to create more jobs, economic activity and, importantly, protect the Great Ocean Road from climate change.

Federal Labor’s commitment to match funding from the Andrews Labor Government will see a $106 million investment in the Great Ocean Road, protecting its viability well into the future.

This commitment from Labor will oversee roadwork upgrades with the inland links from Winchelsea to Lorne and Forest to Apollo Bay, improving access to the Great Ocean Road from the Princes Highway.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the nation’s greatest tourism assets attracting more visitors than the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru combined.

And a Shorten Labor Government is ready to work with the Andrews Labor Government to deliver a plan for the Great Ocean Road.

After six years of Liberal cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready.