The Great Ocean Road region will receive a $15,000 boost through a Brumby Government program to support a number of events in regional Victoria, said Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP.
Ms Tierney welcomed the support for the Portland Bay Upwelling Festival, the 2009 Vic Bream Classic Series, the Australian Whale Boat Racing Championships and the Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon which will receive funding through the Country Victoria Events Program.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to support tourism in regional Victoria, helping to boost local economies and creating thousands of jobs in local areas.
“The region has a fantastic range of diverse attractions and events – whether you are interested in touring, food and wine, history and heritage, music, sport, or a short break,” she said.
Ms Tierney said that many visitors coming to the Great Ocean Road for these events will stay in the region, giving the local tourism industry an important boost.
“Visitors will be well serviced by our extensive range of accommodation options, including B&Bs, motels, hotels and caravan and camping facilities.
“The region’s cafés, restaurants, bars and shops will also benefit from the thousands of visitors that these events attract,” Ms Tierney said.
The Great Ocean Road region will benefit from:
• $5,000 for the Portland Bay Upwelling Festival in Portland, 31 October 2009. The event incorporates a wide range of cultural, art, musical, recreational and sporting activities including gourmet food and wine, an art exhibition and a street parade.
• $4,000 (split between the Great Ocean Road and Gippsland) for the 2009 Vic Bream Classic Series. Various dates and locations throughout the Great Ocean Road and Gippsland promoting the benefits of catch and release fishing and showcasing the townships where it is held.
• $3,000 for the Australian Whale Boat Racing Championships in Warrnambool, 20-21 February 2010. Featuring a series of whale boat races, market stalls and children’s activities, the event attracts more than 2,000 intrastate and interstate visitors.
• $5,000 for the Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon in the Otways, 27 February 2010. More than 1,800 competitors and 4,000 spectators take part in the event which concludes with an outdoor festival and children’s competitions.
“These diverse events help to protect the jobs of the thousands of Victorians employed by the tourism industry across the State,” Ms Tierney said.
“The Country Victoria Events Program (CVEP) assists with the development of growing regional events.
“Funding for the CVEP is made available through the Brumby Government’s Living Regions Living Suburbs program and is managed by Tourism Victoria,” Ms Tierney said.