Surf Coast Shire Council has stepped up its push for the Victorian Government to allocate more funding for repair of nature-based tourism assets damaged during January's flash flooding.
Council will table a motion at the Municipal Association of Victoria state council meeting on 23 October seeking statewide support on the issue.
The flooding destroyed or damaged walking trails, viewing platforms and 28 of 34 pedestrian bridges in the Great Otway National Park, leading to the closure of many popular visitor attractions.
While Council is not the land manager of the national park, it has been actively advocating on behalf of local communities for increased funding to help the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) restore the assets.
Nature-based experiences are a central driver of tourism to Lorne, where around 90 per cent of enquiries to Council's Visitor Information Centre relate to walking trails and waterfalls.
Erskine Falls alone attracts more than 800,000 visits each year.
Mayor Libby Stapleton said that while GORCAPA is doing what it can within its available budget, the extent of the damage means the authority needs extra funding, especially where bridges need replacement.
"Many businesses depend on visitors coming to experience our natural landscapes, walking trails, waterfalls and national parks," Mayor Stapleton said.
"These businesses have already suffered from the January floods, and they'll see ongoing impacts for as long as these repairs take to make.
"We're asking the Municipal Association of Victoria to join us in formally urging the Victorian Government to promptly increase funding allocated for repairs.
"These assets are not just about recreation, they support jobs, businesses and communities across regional Victoria.
"Importantly, funding should not only restore damaged assets but help rebuild them in ways that are more resilient to future extreme weather events."
Tourism Research Australia data shows participation in nature-based tourism among Australians increased by 47 per cent between 2014 and 2023, while participation in bushwalking and rainforest walks increased by 81 per cent during the same period.
Across Victoria, visits to national and state parks generate an estimated $1.4 billion in economic activity annually and support around 14,000 jobs.
During January 2026, Surf Coast Shire lost around 233,000 visitors following the flood event, while spending in Lorne during the second half of the month dropped by about 75 per cent compared with pre-flood levels.
