Keeping The Light On For Jobs
Pressure is mounting on the Victorian Government to act immediately to keep the Cape Otway Lighthouse open.
The Lighthouse is facing financial ruin and closure due to the government’s reckless handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has urged the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, to ensure the lighthouse is offered a long-term lease to enable it to survive.
“We have the real potential of a Lighthouse with no light, no jobs and no hope,” Mrs McArthur said.
“If shutdown, it will stand as a monument to Dan Andrews’ arrogance and failures. It is fittingly a huge monument.”
The government is being asked to offer a long-term Crown lease to give the operator confidence and security.
Since 1997, the lighthouse has been leased and managed by a small local company called Tourism Great Ocean Road and attracts 180,000 visitors annually. The current lease runs out in June 2022 but could close in March next year.
Mrs McArthur said the lease is not being extended by the Government because of a protracted native title claim which may take years to resolve. Tourism Great Ocean Road does not oppose the claim.
“The company needs a 10-year lease extension to enable it to borrow money so it can survive the Covid disaster.
“If the Lighthouse is unsuccessful in this bid, the door closes not only on more than 20 permanent skilled professionals but up to 40 jobs in the peak season.
“Closing this icon closes a door to the past and to the generational knowledge that this lighthouse has conjured since 1848 – it remains as the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia.”
The operator of the lighthouse, Matt Bowker, believes the lighthouse closure will have ramifications for surrounding jobs and businesses that leverage off the site.
The potential closure of the lighthouse would also raise concerns for its care and maintenance.
A petition in the Legislative Council is requesting Minister Gayle Tierney to `establish a whole-of-government solution to keep the Cape Otway Lightstation open beyond March 2021.’
“This e-petition has already been signed by nearly 800 people. The community has until November 25th, just more than a month, to make it abundantly clear that this lighthouse, and its community of jobs, have a chance of surviving.
“This Labor Government has demonstrated a blinkered and careless approach to regional Victorians.
“We need to ensure that tourism on the Great Ocean Road can immediately bounce back strongly. And for that, this Lighthouse is key.”
22 October 2020
