7.8. THEME 8: INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND SERVICING

7.8. THEME 8: INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND SERVICING

OBJECTIVE 7 Ensure that the Murray provides critical infrastructure to maintain and strengthen accessibility for visitors to the region.

Infrastructure, transport and visitor servicing provides the framework for supporting visitation to the destinations. In the case of the Murray Region key areas for infrastructure investment needs include:

• New bridges crossing on the Murray River. • Improved rail passenger services. • Improved telecommunications infrastructure including visitor wi-fi and removal of blackspots. • Airport investment and upgrades to meet future demand, and investigation of direct flights between Albury and Mildura. • Consistent approach to physical visitor information provision.

It is important for MRT to advocate for investment in infrastructure projects that support tourism growth. Working relationships should be maintained between MRT and infrastructure delivery organisations in Victoria and NSW.

7.8.1. GAME CHANGER PROJECTS

MURRAY RIVER ROAD

Description

The Murray River Road (MRR) encompasses an untapped travelling route alongside the mighty Murray River. It has the potential to significantly change the mindset of visitors, positioning the Murray River as an aspirational travel destination to be ticked off the bucket list. Visitors can eat, drink, camp, paddle, golf, drive or boat their way along the entire stretch of the Murray - beginning where the river rises in the Australian Alps and ending where it meets the ocean at Lake Alexandrina. The route can be conquered in one single adventure, or spread out into sections to navigate across the years. MRT is seeking endorsement for the project concept and investment to advance the project. A partnership approach across the three states – Victoria, NSW, and South Australia – along with the affiliated riverside LGAs, would enable the launch of a comprehensive marketing campaign to fully realise the potential of the Murray River Road. A sustained long term marketing investment is needed to affect change in perceptions of the Murray and deliver significant positive outcomes for the region. The development of touring itineraries and encouraging complementary tourism investment to leverage the route will also need to be considered.

MURRAY REGION DMP UP DATE MURRAY REGIONAL TOUR ISM Key Stakeholders

• MRT • Regional Development Victoria • Department of Industry (NSW) • Vic Roads • Murray River Local Governments • Roads and Maritime (NSW) • State governments (VIC, NSW and SA) • Federal government, specifically Tourism Australia and Regional Development Australia

Actions

• Seek funding partners including State Government, Local Government and Industry. • Undertake a market assessment for the project including consideration of international markets. • Identify the route and concept following completion of the market assessment. • Develop an experience plan and matching itineraries. • Develop a strategic business plan and marketing strategy for the route.

MUNGO ALL WEATHER ROAD

Description

Lake Mungo National Park cannot be accessed from either Mildura or Balranald following rainfall, impacting on tour operators and international visitors who have booked trips to the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. The road upgrade will also need to include the main routes through the area, as they are also not accessible following rain. As an internationally significant site, with a concurrent study into development of enhanced infrastructure by NPWS, this is an important project in lifting the profile of the Murray as a tourism destination.

Stakeholders

• NSW Trade and Investment • NSW Roads and Maritime • NSW Parks and Wildlife • MRT

Actions

• Continue to lobby and advocate for investment in an All Weather Road to Mungo National Park from Mildura

7.8.2. OTHER TIER 1 PRIORITY PROJECTS

DENILIQUIN AIRPORT

Deniliquin airport is in the heart of the Riverina, Murray and Goulburn Valley regions and has the potential to become a major export airport of fresh food from Australia’s largest agricultural footprint. The Toowoomba airport provides a model for this, with a mix of freight combined with passenger services. The export of fresh agricultural product into Asia may allow the opportunity for commercial passenger flights into the mid Murray Region, including international arrivals and connection between existing airports in Albury and Mildura.

This project could be a potential gamechanger, allowing international transportation only 40 minutes from the Murray Region’s largest holiday leisure tourist hub (Echuca Moama). A business case is currently being completed on the freight opportunities, and passenger flights are likely to remain a long-term opportunity.

PASSENGER RAIL SERVICES TO MAJOR CENTRES

Passenger rail provides an important transport option for visitors seeking to explore regional Victoria and NSW who cannot or wish not to drive.

Albury Wodonga and Echuca Moama are both within 300kms of Melbourne and if higher quality and more frequent train services were provided, weekend escapes by train could be explored.

A recent review of train services between Melbourne and Albury Wodonga found they are inadequate to meet the needs of local residents, and that the north-east of Victoria has the poorest train services in the state9 The key areas that need addressing include:

• More reliable services. • Faster journey times with fewer stops. • More frequent services. • Elimination of bus replacement service. • Consistency of travel time. The study estimated that service improvements could potentially deliver an additional 385,000 passengers per annum resulting in an additional $113m in economic output and 487 jobs FTE.

9 Hume Corridor Passenger Rail Study, AEC, 2017

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In addition, there is strong community support for rail services to be extended from Melbourne to Mildura and improved frequency of services to Swan Hill. This would have significant community benefit and provide another option for visitors to travel to the region.

CONTEMPORARY VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES

MRT recently embarked on a strategic assessment of visitor information services across the Murray Region to understand current and future demand for visitor information services. Delivery of the visitor information services study would provide focus of visitor information services where they are needed including quality digital visitor information services and marketing. New guidelines for accreditation should be considered in relation to future planning for the VIC network.

ALBURY AIRPORT VISITOR UPGRADES

Continued development of the Albury Airport in accordance with the Masterplan. This will include improved regional branding, signage, activities kiosk, and visitor arrival information to showcase the regional offer.

WODONGA CBD DEVELOPMENT

The staged redevelopment of the Wodonga CBD has significantly lifted the appeal for visitors with major retail services and a new food precinct in the former railyards. At full completion the project will double the size of Wodonga’s central business district and bring new life to the city centre. The next stages are being led by Development Victoria including opportunities for accommodation, entertainment complex, conference, and market facility development in planning stage. Development will support growth in business, events and visiting friends and relatives market.

7.8.3. ALIGNED PROJECTS

Projects that are aligned to this theme should be supported. These include:

• Bridges across the Murray River. • Airport investment and upgrades to meet future demand. • Road and highway investment such as lane widening, turning lanes, access roads etc. (e.g. Murray Valley Highway). • Improved telecommunications infrastructure and addressing regional blackspots. • Digital infrastructure including free Wi-Fi. • Consistent signage. • Township gateway improvement (Murray Valley Highway). • Township streetscape improvements. • Improved visitor information services.

MURRAY REGION DMP UP DATE MURRAY REGIONAL TOUR ISM