A $4.4 million pipeline will be built to help the toilets at the Twelve Apostles cope with the iconic location’s increasing popularity.
The announcement of a new sewer pipeline to connect the visitor information centre at the Twelve Apostles to a treatment plant at Port Campbell was part of Wednesday’s launch for the Shipwreck Coast masterplan.
State minister for environment, climate change and water Lisa Neville revealed the “immediate investment” into the facility upgrade as part of a long-term plan to develop the popular tourist route.
The toilets were the subject of an Environment Protection Authority is investigation earlier this year due to an alleged excessive discharge of waste water.
The facility also copped criticism from former Corangamite Shire mayor Chris O’Connor, who described the toilets as embarrassing for a world-renowned tourist attraction.
The masterplan’s vision is to “enhance the Shipwreck Coast as a distinctive, cultural and remarkable world-class destination, underpinned by the character of its hinterland and local towns coupled with the conservation and protection of its national, coastal and marine parks”.
It covers from Bay Of Islands west of Peterborough to Point Ronald east of Princetown.
A press release from Ms Neville’s department said the masterplan aimed to “protect, enhance and celebrate one of Australia’s most recognisable and visited natural attractions – Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast”.
“The masterplan will help guide the protection of the coast, improvement of facilities and visitor opportunities over the next 20 years,” Ms Neville said.
“Tourists spend $1.4 billion per year in our national parks and that comes from their natural beauty.
“The masterplan will help preserve the coast and the countless jobs it supports.
“The Shipwreck Coast is an international tourist destination and we will work with the local community to continue to strengthen the local economy through sustainable tourism.”
The masterplan is the culmination of a five-stage consultation program that sought input from local and regional communities, representatives of the conservation, industry and transport sectors, as well as traditional owners.
The $4.4 million sewer pipeline will be a joint project between Parks Victoria and Wannon Water.