Upgrades to two lookouts on the Great Alpine Road, opened this week by the State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, will enhance visitor experiences of the High Country.

They were funded with a $140,000 allocation via the State Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Fund, which is provided to councils to use for local projects.

Mr Bull said the projects have involved substantial landscaping works at Kosciuszko Lookout, north of Omeo and Connors Hill, south of Ensay. The opening took place at Kosciuszko Lookout.

“Both lookouts are key stopping points for travellers on the Great Alpine Road,” Mr Bull said.

“These upgrades will significantly enhance visitor experience at the sites, raise the attractiveness of the lookouts for purposes of media promotion, and encourage more visitors to enjoy all that the High Country has to offer,” Mr Bull said.

“The project involved new picnic table seating, the planting of indigenous species and a new rock wall and rock paving.”

“East Gippsland artist, Josephine Jakobi, has also put her stamp on the project with stainless steel moths at Kosciuszko Lookout and stainless steel tubing at Connors Hill.”

Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan, said the Coalition Government was proud to invest $140,000 from its flagship $1 billion Regional Growth Fund towards the development of the two lookouts.

“The Regional Growth Fund is investing in community-led projects to strategically drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“Since it was established in early 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has provided more than $360 million to support over 1240 projects across regional and rural Victoria, leveraging almost $1.5 billion in total investment.”

For more information about the Regional Growth Fund visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/regional-growth-fund