Theme park to create 7,200 jobs
09/04/2008(18:17)
A theme park in Geelong will create 7,200 jobs if its $220 million expansion plan is approved.
The Geelong Advertiser has reported that the park, which will be called African Safari World, hopes to challenge Disneyland and Sea World with its rides.
Village Roadshow, which is behind the plans, has received the backing of the mayor for Geelong, who said it would be highly beneficial to the city.
Over 6,700 workers will be employed in the construction process with an additional 500 workers to be hired in the safari themed park.
The attraction I expected to draw 1.3 million visitors each year and the area's tourism boss, Roger Grant, said the park would fill a gap which Victoria does not have.
"Geelong has the potential to become the hub people will stay in Geelong and then travel to Ballarat to go to Sovereign Hill or drive to the Bellarine Peninsula or along the Great Ocean Road," he continued.
Tim Holding, the tourism minister, added that the plans seemed "fantastic" and would receive "very serious" consideration.
It was recently reported that the Young Shire had received a large boost due to tourism in the area, with the sector now being one of the largest employers in the area.
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