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Warrnambool StandardAustralian News    28/04/2005 12:57:45

Vanessa Burrow

A major study into the development of a geothermal springs facility in the Port Fairy and Peterborough regions will begin soon.

Moyne Shire Council allocated $15,000 towards the study that was expected to cost $50,000, with contributions from the State and Federal Governments.

Business and tourism director James Purcell said the thriving towns that attracted thousands of tourists each year would benefit greatly from off-season attractions.

The study region would include the Yambuk, Koroit, Port Fairy, Killarney and Peterborough areas.

Koroit riding councillor Ken Gale said the proposal was a huge positive for the towns included and the shire as a whole.

"We have a natural resource in this area and this is an opportunity too good to miss," he said. "(A geothermal springs facility) would certainly be a boost to our community no matter where it is."

Moyne Shire had already developed a partnership with the Glenelg Shire to research how geothermal resources could be used for aquaculture.

The commitment to developing geothermal tourism opportunities was in contrast with council's decision not to allocate $15,000 towards the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail Committee.

Port Fairy riding councillor Di Clanchy said the Rail Trail project, costed at about $1.74 million, would also be beneficial for tourism and economic development in the shire.

"It's been quite a long time for us to get to this point. As long as I've been on council we have been talking about a Rail Trail," she said.

But councillors said they were nervous about the total cost of the Rail Trail project and could think of much better things to spend that amount of money on.

When the request for $15,000 was defeated, Cr Clanchy requested $7500 on the condition that Warrnambool City Council also budgeted $7500 towards the Rail Trail.

The motion was passed by six to five, with the mayor's casting vote. Councillors Dick Prendergast, Jim Doukas, Frank Norton, Bruce Couch and Gerald Madden were opposed to the move.