EAST: Councils join to boost tourism
Three shires have partnered to create a new Visitor Economy Partnership, spreading tourism funding and initiatives.
Cardinia, Nillum-bik and Yarra Ranges Shires will transfer of the current agreement with Yarra Ranges Tourism across to the new Visitor Economy Partnership on Tuesday (July 1).
All three Councils have now committed to the VEP.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said the change would mean enhanced partnerships with nearby Councils, better opportunities to access State and Federal funding and increased tourism support for the wider region.
“Tourism is one of our most significant economic backbones here in the outer east,” Cr Child said.
“We have millions of visitors coming to the region every year, with numbers expected to increase upon completion of our flagship tourism projects such as the Warburton Bike Park, ngurrak-barring (Ridge Walk) in the Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley Trail. “Our neighbours in Cardinia and Nillumbik Shires are also active in growing tourism visitation and the fact is that many people travelling through will often enjoy what our regions offer collectively.”
“This new partnership will be the voice of our visitor economy in the outer east.
“It will support our tourism industry to grow and become more resilient, help attract investment, advocate for our three regions, all of which experience similar challenges and have similar opportunities, and, of course, help bring more visitors to our unique part of the world.
“Yarra Ranges Tourism has represented the industry and the region well for the past few years, and I think this partnership will take the best parts of what’s been done and bring on board our neigh-bours to band together to strengthen the visitor economy even further.
“I’m really excited about this, and I look forward to working with our Cardinia and Nillumbik counterparts going forward.”
Nillumbik Shire Council Mayor, Cr John Dumaresq, said, “Tourism provides a major boost for Nillumbik, delivering 381,000 visitors to our Shire each year and contributing $107 million to our local economy.
“We are so lucky to have such an amazing backyard to share with people from outside our area,” Cr Dumaresq said.
pictured: Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Jim Child, Cardinia Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik, and Nillumbik Mayor Cr John Dumaresq