The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the planning of projects that have the potential to increase visitor numbers, create jobs and drive economic growth in Western Victoria region.
The Government’s support will allow the proponents of 26 projects across Victoria to move to the next stage of planning, assessing economic viability and further investigating their potential as high impact regional tourism initiatives.
Funding for projects in Western Victoria from the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund was announced by Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today.
The projects each have the potential to boost the regional visitor economy and include:
- $750,000 towards the feasibility and initial development assessment of the geothermal resources that will underpin an accommodation, geothermal spa and wellness centre development near the 12 Apostles. The project seeks to address a gap in accommodation supply, and develop a new nature based/wellness attraction to capitalise on the large number of visitors to the region.
- $225,000 towards the feasibility study and business case that will assess opportunities to increase visitor numbers in the region and lengthen their stay by developing tourism product and experiences associated with Aboriginal culture.
- $100,000 towards the feasibility study/business case that will investigate the development of an elite sports facility and a public ‘gatehouse’ in the Cape Otway region. This project will provide investment in ‘back of house’ elite training facilities to help meet the demand for sporting and event based experiences in Victoria.
- $150,000 towards the business plan that will investigate improvements to the Great Ocean Walk, in particular the Johanna Beach to Milanesia Beach Track, and the Elliot Ridge Hiker Camp to Blanket Bay Track. The Great Ocean Walk was the first Icon walk in Victoria and the subject of a Visit Victoria marketing campaign in 2010-11. Whist the track is largely complete, there are areas where it is not ideally located to take advantage of the coastal location. Investment in this Walk will improve the visitor experience and lead to increased visitation.
The Labor Government has worked closely with Regional Tourism Boards and local governments across the state to develop a pipeline of more than 300 projects that could be suitable for support through Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The pipeline represents the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening regional Victoria’s visitor economy.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“I am proud to be part of a government driving the growth of tourism in our region”
“This funding from Labor’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund is set to support four important planning projects which all have the potential to drive visitation, create local jobs and boost our economy.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“The Andrews Labor Government’s $103 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund is accelerating the delivery of investment ready, high impact tourism projects across country Victoria. It will help to drive visitation to the area, create local jobs and boost the economy.”