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Marlo to Cape Conran path that was funded for 2020 bushfire recovery lacks progress and impacts local tourism says Tim Bull

Tim Bull criticises lack of priority for Marlo to Cape Conran tourism pathway. He cites delayed progress and uncompleted recovery projects, urging better treatment and infrastructure attention.

By news@gippsland - 1st August 2023 - Back to News

The Marlo to Cape Conran shared path, to be delivered through the bushfire recovery funding announced in 2020, is not even at design stage, according to the Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is disappointed this project, like so many in the Marlo and Cape Conran region, has not been given the priority status it deserves to support tourism in this beautiful area.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is disappointed the Marlo to Cape Conran shared pathway has not progressed beyond design stage, three years after the project was funded

Long delays in pathway

Mr Bull said, "In 2020, I supported the investment of the Marlo to Cape Conran shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway and I have been eagerly awaiting its delivery. As it is now August, three years down the track, and I see no visible progression of the pathway's construction, I sought an update of the project from the Minister, seeking a completion date for the project."

"I was shocked to be informed that the project has not progressed at all and remains at the preliminary design and planning stage. This is typical of the Andrews Labor government. Its treatment of critical projects in East Gippsland has been absolutely disgraceful."

"The large-scale bushfire recovery projects at Cape Conran all sit at a standstill. The East Cape Boardwalk is not finished, the cabins are not ready for visitors and this new and exciting link between Marlo and Cape Conran, is not even planned," Mr Bull said.

Rural infrastructure neglect

Mr Bull added, "We deserve better. We've been smashed by the bushfires, tourism halted due to the pandemic, and most recently, the closure of the timber industry. If communities like Orbost are expected to transition from being a timber industry reliant economy to tourism, we need the actual tourism infrastructure available to have any chance of survival."

"The Minister must prioritise these projects like it does for urban greenspace parklands in Melbourne, because if she did, the shared pathway will be delivered in no time," said Mr Bull.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com