Ballina Electorate Media Releases
Ballina MP Supports Proposal For New Tourist Drive (5/07/2010)
The Member for Ballina, Don Page, has welcomed the concept of a new tourist drive between Ross Lane near Lennox Head and Ewingsdale near Byron Bay.
The proposed name of the tourist drive is The Hinterland Way and early plans show it will take the route of what will be the old Pacific Highway when the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade of the Pacific Motorway is completed.
“I think this is an exciting tourism concept that will make the most of existing infrastructure when the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade of the highway is completed,” Mr Page said.
“Much of that stretch of what will be the old highway has spectacular views of the coast and hinterland and this lends itself to being promoted as a tourist drive,” he said.
“The Hinterland Way project will enhance existing tourism infrastructure and I am confident will become a stand-alone, low cost, minimal impact tourist attraction.
“Importantly much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place so the cost of implementing The Hinterland Way will be negligible,” Mr Page said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for tourism on the far north coast and it is supported by State and Federal politicians as well as the Ballina and Byron Shire Councils, chambers of commerce, tourist groups and Southern Cross University.
“This is a perfect opportunity for the NSW Government and the Roads and Traffic Authority to support a cost effective tourism project on the far north coast,” Mr Page said.
