You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary plans fail to factor in international wildlife tourism, tour operator says
Overseas visitors are being overlooked in final plans for works to the You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary, a leading tour operator says.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A popular tourism operator says a new masterplan for the You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary does not do enough to cater for overseas visitors.
The state government announced the final masterplan for the site’s management this week after a controversial consultation period last year.
Echidna Walkabout tours operator Roger Smith said his initial look over the plan indicated an improvement, but industry support was still severely lacking.
“The plan is better than the draft, but I’d say it’s only 50 per cent improvement,” Mr Smith said.
“Since 2016 we’ve been trying to get Parks Victoria to recognise the importance of international wildlife tourism and this plan doesn’t support it successfully.”
He welcomed the upgrading of facilities, the relocation of a proposed bike track through Serendip Sanctuary and plans to designate wildlife conservation areas in certain parts of the park.
But he warned the plan had come “too late” for an international visitor economy that needed to plan at least two years in advance.
“This plan is for day-trippers and nothing else,” Mr Smith said.
Under the plan, Serendip Sanctuary visitor facilities for schools and groups would be upgraded.
The proposal also included plans to create a mountain-biking hub throughout the You Yangs, as well as a kiosk, and storage room for events.
“Some people commented that the proposed facilities and plan were not visionary enough with the wildlife offer, links to Avalon, and considerations of broader travel itineraries around Victoria cited as opportunities to think bigger,” it read.
“Alternatively, some people were opposed to promoting increased visitation in what they saw was an already overused park.”
Changes included the repeal of a 24-hour camping proposal in the You Yangs precinct and removal of a shared trail in Serendip Sanctuary.
Community feedback on the draft plan included calls for the captive feeding program to be retained, better recognition of and input from local Traditional Owners, the need for more mountain-biking facilities and criticisms of the plan’s current tourism objectives.
Lara state MP John Eren welcomed the release of the masterplan.
“The You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary are special places for the community,” Mr Eren said. “I am delighted to see a plan that celebrates the cultural heritage of the area and seeks to improve the way people enjoy the park.”
The masterplan also included options to upgrade visitor information centres, carparks, picnic and barbecue areas and existing tracks.
.
Originally published as You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary plans fail to factor in international wildlife tourism, tour operator says
Child and teen missing for more than a week, last seen in Lara
Two youths, last seen in Lara, have been missing for more than a week, with police increasingly concerned for their wellbeing.
Families and friends unite for Geelong Anzac Day march
The annual march down Malop St brought old friends and families together, while earlier this morning a crowd of 10,000 paid their respects in Torquay.