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CARAVANNERS are fuming over a mayor's suggestion that the iconic Great
Ocean Road in Victoria should carry a $20 toll.
The controversial idea comes from Corangamite Shire Mayor Matt Makin who
believes that users should help pay for its upkeep.
"I initially thought a token amount in a range of two or three dollars,
but I think when you consider the benefits that the pros of the toll will
experience in terms of state-of-the-art infrastructure, a pristine
environment, excellent viewing platforms, etc, then I think it's quite
feasible to make it in the realm of 10 or 20 dollars," he told local
media.
Thousands of caravanners wind their way round the 243km scenic coastal
road between Torquay and Warrnambool every year.
Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to World
War 1 casualties, it is regarded as the world's largest war memorial and a
'must do' by many tourists.
Tolls were were last introduced for using the Great Ocean Road in 1922 to
recoup the cost of its construction but were abandoned in 1936.
"Slapping a toll on on a road commemorating our soldiers would be
sacrilege after so many years," grey nomad Fred Hindmarsh told
Caravanning News. "Nothing seems sacred anymore ... it's just money,
money, money."
And NSW caravanners Bruce and Joan Sanderson believed it would be
"scandalous" to hit people's hip pockets for using the popular tourist
route.
"We believe there would be a dramatic fall-off in the number of people
visiting the area, which would have a flow-on affect to local traders who
would suffer in the long term.
"What with ever-increasing fuel prices, caravan parks charging the earth
to stay overnight and other soaring costs, people such as grey nomads
won't be able to afford to travel."
