High Australian dollar threatens domestic travel

Australians are no longer choosing to holiday in their own country believing they will get more bang for their buck overseas. Leah Balbin reports.

The Great Ocean Raod, one of Australia’s most popular domestic holidays spots. Source: Leah Balbin

DOMESTIC tourism in Australia is threatened by attractive international exchange rates as more Australians choose to travel overseas on holidays.

Monash University’s senior tourism lecturer, Dr Vicki Peel said  Australians are drawn to international destinations because their dollar is so good.

“Domestic tourism has been quite stagnant since 2000, people aren’t taking holidays in their own back yards as much as they used to,” Dr Peel said.

“There is that two and a half hour barrier out of Melbourne, so anywhere beyond two and a half hours struggles to attract visitors”.

Australian Tourism and Export Council Chief Executive Officer, Matt Hingerty said export tourism makes up a massive sector of our economy.

“If you combine Tourism and education travel that’s students coming to Australia we earn about 26 billion dollars”.

Mr Hingerty also said government innovation into tourism is highly dependent on the scale of impact.

“Both state and federal are wary of innovation in services. They like to support those industries that produce items that they can see”.

Statistics show that in 2012, outbound travel volume was up 5.4 per cent to 8.2 million.

Government agency, Tourism Australia has employed campaigns like ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’ to attract international visitors and encourage Australians to travel domestically.

Would you choose to holiday domestically or internationally?

Buses to improve Melbourne’s public transport

Reforming Melbourne’s bus system will address many of the problems faced by frequent transport users, experts say. Leah Balbin reports.

Balaclava train station at peak hour. Source: Original

WITH the population set to double by 2020, buses will play a key part in improving congestion and efficiency in Melbourne’s transport system.

Public Transport Users association’s former president Daniel Bowen said that Buses are often the, “poor cousin” when it comes to transport reforms.

Mr. Bowen said that buses would provide a more cost-effective solution to infrequent services.

“Wholesale reform of the route structure would actually allow you to run more services and use the resources we already have,” he said.

Statistics have shown that in 2011 the number of passenger trips on Melbourne buses has risen up to 15 per cent in response to new bus routes and upgrades.

Monash University Chair of Public Transport, Graham Currie said that buses are “actually a way forward” when it comes to reforming the current transport system.

“The truth is they’ll be the backbone of the city because we can get them to 70 per cent more places.”

Transport Safety Victoria’s Acting Manager of Strategic Communications, Janet Miller, said she believed that Buses weren’t necessarily the best solution but continue to be the safest.

“Statistically, our view is that buses are a safer mode of transportation,” she said.

The number of bus related injuries has decreased from 80 in 2011 to 58 in 2012.

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Caulfield Racecourse renovation threatens University students

Cars parked on the infield at Caulfield Racecourse
Photograph: Leah Balbin

MONASH University has rejected a Council plan that would see racecourse punters compete for parking with university staff and students.

The Glen Eira City Council, in accordance with the Crown Land (Reserves) Act, has made a suggestion to provide greater public access to the racecourse at the expense of car parking.

In response to the parking removal, the council suggested that an arrangement be made with Monash University for the use of its multi-storey car park on race days and other events.

Monash University student Lachie Eddington, fears that, the welfare of hard-working students may be compromised by an influx of traffic.

“Parking is hard enough as it is, especially within the confined and small space within Caulfield. That isn’t fair for the students,” he said.

Manager of Campus Services at Monash Mr. Joe Verheijns said that if approached for the use of its parking facilities, the university would, “knock it back,” in order to give permit holding students and teachers the priority.

“All our students park in the multi deck at Caulfield campus,” he said.

“When it comes to using our multi level car park during a normal semester and normal work days it just wouldn’t be happening.”

Mayor of Glen Eira, Cr. Jamie Hyams said that the appeal made to the Melbourne Racecourse Trustees to renovate the grounds has been ongoing in response to millions of dollars raised by the trust, as well as the need for more public areas.

“We have got less open space in Glen Eira than any other municipality in Victoria”.

“There is a lot of infrastructure on the interior of the racecourse that is devoted to training. If that wasn’t there then all that area could be used by the general public,” Hyams said.

Hyams further stated that funds for this large-scale renovation are not scarce and, “traditionally the trust has enough money to do anything there. What they’ve used is a small amount of money considering the amount they’ve made over the last 150 years.”

The Melbourne Race Club in accordance with state member for Caulfield, David Southwick MP announced an investment of $1.8 million dollars in the grounds, an initiative lasting over six years.

The Council suggestion includes creating sporting grounds for local teams, the provision of multiple access points and the removal of visual barriers surrounding the grounds.

Caulfield racecourse hosts a number of race days each season including the Caulfield cup, Caulfield Guineas and the Blue Diamond stakes as well as regular events like the Victorian caravan, camping and touring super show.