- Published:
- Wednesday 30 August 2017
The Andrews Labor Government is backing a plan to boost tourism and economic activity in the Goulburn Region.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford joined Goulburn Regional Partnership Chair David McKenzie at Lake Eildon today to announce a $25,000 grant from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund to grow local tourism and stimulate the region’s economy.
The grant will help Goulburn River and Valley Tourism deliver a range of projects to raise the profile of the region, and is a direct response to the Goulburn Regional Partnership, which identified economic diversification as a priority.
Boosting tourism will attract visitors, boost investment and encourage more people to move to the region.
Goulburn River Valley Tourism will use the funding to update its ‘blueprint’ for building the regional visitor economy, identifying current and future opportunities, visitation trends, and priority projects.
The updated plan will respond to the current socio-economic climate, outline product and skills gaps across the region, and provide insights into workforce training needs in the region.
Goulburn River Valley Tourism hopes to increase visitation by 3 per cent through increased tourism development, which would inject an extra $18.5 million into the economy and create 117 jobs.
The project will develop marketing and promotion strategies for key towns in the area undergoing significant change, including Nagambie and Seymour as a service centre for peri-urban growth in Mitchell Shire, Lake Eildon as a growth hub for recreational visitation and the revitalisation of sporting infrastructure in Greater Shepparton.
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“We’re investing in growing the Goulburn region’s visitor economy because more tourism means more jobs and more people choosing to live and work locally.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism John Eren
“Tourists bring serious business to the Goulburn region and we want more visitors to come and explore all it has to offer.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"The Goulburn Regional Partnership identified the importance of investing in tourism and the Andrews Labor Government is listening and investing in what matters most to this beautiful region."
Quote attributable to Goulburn Regional Partnership Chair David McKenzie
“We have many great areas in Goulburn and I’m pleased that this grant will help raise the profile of beautiful spots such as Lake Eildon."