By Casey Neill
STRAP
High ropes course set to provide excitement and spectacular views…
STORY
A cash boost will help a high ropes course bring 100,000 extra people into Bangholme each year.
The five-level outdoor tower at the multi-million dollar Melbourne Cable Park is set to open by Christmas and could create 160 new jobs.
It will feature a kinder course for small children, three levels with 90 challenge-based elements, plus a viewing platform offering a 360 degree view of the south-east.
A harness system will connect users to the tower but allow them to move freely between the challenges.
The State and Federal Governments both chipped in for the $600,000 Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) program grant, which was announced on Wednesday 19 July.
The Journal was first to reveal plans for the park, adjacent to the National Watersports Centre (NWSC) on Patterson River, in February 2015.
The company developing the park, Activ, leased a grassed area that the State Government declared surplus to its needs.
The park opened its inflatable aqua fun park in January – which attracted 35,000 visitors – and followed with its cable waterski and wakeboard lakes in April.
The man behind the innovative park, Ian Clark, said he was thrilled to see his vision becoming a reality.
“The satisfaction for us comes from the smiles on the faces of the local kids and parents,” he said.
Solar panels power the cable systems on the centre’s two lakes which each use as much electricity as two washing machines.
Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo said the project would continue to drive the region’s economy and create local jobs.
Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson said: “The Melbourne Cable Park is already proving to be a popular drawcard for locals and tourists alike, and these ropes will take it to new heights.”
