The Great South Coast Food and Wine Group will undertake a marketing project with the help of a $16,000 Victorian Government grant announced today by Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Great South Coast Food and Wine Group, which boasts about 50 members, has established the region as a fresh addition to Victoria’s booming food and wine scene,” Ms Tierney said.
“Through its work, the group has helped growers expand their markets and boost their returns by linking with new buyers and consumers.
“The group has identified the need to focus specific attention on the development of a marketing strategy that would help the group achieve its strategic objectives.
“With group members increasingly building their business around tourism trade either through cellar door or the hospitality sector, there is a need to provide them with the tools and strategies to address these markets.”
As part of this project, the Great South Coast Food and Wine Group will develop an updated producer directory and establish a website to showcase and link member profiles, market heroes of the region, provide a library of images and information on a food and wine trail and enable consumers to access the producer directory.
The group will also develop a marketing plan which will help the group gain a greater foothold in the food and wine tourism market.
Ms Tierney said the project would help the group’s businesses grow, creating jobs and boosting local economic activity.
“The project will also help attract more tourists, increase recognition of the region and encourage the development of complementary businesses,” Ms Tierney said.
Ms Tierney said the Great South Coast Food and Wine Tourism Marketing Project was being supported with a grant through Warrnambool City Council to the Great South Coast Group of Councils under the Brumby Government’s Network to Success program.
“The Network to Success program was established to promote greater collaboration among rural and regional producers and processors, and encourage cooperation through marketing, exporting, tourism and industry development activities,” Ms Tierney said.
“The Network to Success program is funded under Moving Forward, the Victorian Government’s $502 million action plan to make Provincial Victoria a great place to live, work, invest and raise a family.”