Gary's Speeches

South Face Road / Mount Baw Baw Upgrade

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"I raise a matter for the Minister for Roads and Ports. The action I seek is for the minister to request VicRoads to investigate and report back the proposed time line for the sealing of Southface Road. This road now provides a direct link from Gippsland to the much-utilised and increasingly more popular area that incorporates Mount Baw Baw as part of Victoria's magnificent alpine region. "

"Currently Southface Road is maintained by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Baw Baw shire. Since the construction of the road was completed in 2007 the traffic movements during the winter months have increased to over 18 000. The road provides a vital link between East, Central and West Gippsland and Mount Baw Baw, which is now attracting thousands of visitors all year round. "

"Mount Baw Baw resort management and staff have done an exceptional job in promoting the mountain as an all-year-round tourist attraction. This has significantly increased visitor numbers to the towns of Walhalla, Erica, Rawson, Moe, Noojee and Neerim South as Southface Road has completed a tourist loop road enabling visitors to circumnavigate the entire area and enjoy all the fantastic opportunities in food, wine and local produce, hospitality and leisure activities on offer. "

"It is essential that Southface Road is sealed. It will improve the safety for the ever-increasing number of tourists and local businesspeople in the area. More importantly it will enhance the options available all year round for safe access across this heavily timbered part of Gippsland. At a time when most of this area is recovering from three devastating bushfires that occurred in 2003, 2006 and 2009, we need to ensure that every opportunity is taken to encourage visitors to return. "

"I welcome the government's initiatives undertaken recently to promote the region through advertising and other incentives to regenerate tourism. The best way the government can restore confidence in the region, both externally and locally, would be to set a time frame around the sealing of Southface Road. I call on the minister to direct VicRoads to provide this information in its forward works program as soon as possible. "