Located in the warmest region of Victoria and ideally situated to exploit the beauty of the Murray River, and the unique environment of the Sunraysia and Mallee districts, it is little wonder that tourism plays a significant role in the local economy.
Keen to maximise on these attributes, Council provides various infrastructure and works with industry groups to develop ideas and events to attract people to the district.
Council operates the Visitors Information Centre and has also appointed a Tourism Events Coordinator and Manager Recreation Culture Libraries and Tourism.
The total budget for tourism infrastructure and related investment is now $3.7 million which includes the construction of the Visitors Information Centre at The Alfred Deakin Centre. Scienceworks has been commissioned to provide a series of innovative and interactive displays at the new complex. They will promote key attractions across the Municipality to visitors, as well as encourage residents to get to know their local area better.
The importance Council attaches to the tourism industry is underlined by the significant number of staff who work in tourism. Six full time staff work closely with the Mildura Regional Tourism Board set up by Council to coordinate tourist activity within the region. This Board comprises representatives from the tourism industry, other interested groups and the general community.
A Marketing and Business Plan has been developed by the Board. It has two priority areas, namely, Events and Ecotourism.
Events planned for the coming months include a Country Music Festival, second only in size to that held at Tamworth, a Wine and Jazz festival and a Bicycle Tour of Sunraysia.
Working with community groups to develop marketing plans and promotions, the Events Coordinator is aiming to have an event scheduled for most weeks throughout the year.
With increasing numbers of visitors coming to the region, Leonie Burrows, Director Community Services says the key to this success is the area’s strong tourism industry and its world class natural attractions.
For further information contact Leonie Burrows, telephone (050) 21 9161.
