The Victorian State Government has backed the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail with a $500,000 funding boost to accelerate the project which celebrates Bunurong culture, supports sustainable tourism and showcases the work of scientists and volunteers in the region.
The funding will allow the detailed creative design of six sites, including a Gondwana Garden with sound and light in Wonthaggi, innovative digital activation at The Caves and Eagles Nest, a village green at Kilcunda, sculptural dinosaur interpretation at San Remo and concept development of a Discovery Centre in Inverloch.
Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Michael Whelan said the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail is a unique and multi-layered project that would provide the region with a new world-class visitor experience.
“Bass Coast has the most diverse range of polar dinosaurs in the world, and it is great to see the State Government back this innovative and creative project that will help us grow our sustainable tourism economy,” Cr Whelan said.
“This community-led project will elevate Bass Coast as a year-round tourism destination and provide a unique attraction, by drawing on the significance of the region’s prehistoric heritage.”
The Bass Coast is home to a number of significant dinosaur fossil sites, which includes evidence of the Koolasuchus Cleelandi, Victoria’s fossil emblem. The six creative art sites on the Dinosaurs Trail will link to these sites.
Bass Coast Shire Council last year purchased land in Wonthaggi for $1.2 million to create an interactive sound and light ‘Gondwana Garden’. Once developed it will feature sculptures and prehistoric-inspired gardens, featuring vegetation similar to the landscape polar dinosaurs once inhabited.
The Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail Masterplan was developed in partnership with key government, business and community organisations, including the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Land Corporation, local scientists, Parks Victoria, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, Destination Gippsland, Destination Phillip Island and Visit Victoria.
“Honouring, acknowledging and celebrating the rich Bunurong culture and building upon the work of volunteers over the past 40 years, the project will create diverse creative experiences,” said Cr Whelan.
The Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail will intersect at key points with the State Government funded Yallock-Bulluk Marine Coastal Access Park- that will run from San Remo to Inverloch, once completed.
This funding was thanks to the State Government’s Enabling Tourism Fund.
Council will continue actively engaging with both state and federal governments to secure further funding for delivery of the project.
