THE VISITOR ECONOMY

Prior to COVID, G21’s tourism and visitor economy supported more than 16,500 jobs across the region and contributed $3 billion to Victoria’s economy per annum.

Together, Geelong, The Bellarine and Great Ocean Region were attracting close to 14 million visitors a year.

The region is internationally celebrated for its natural beauty. It has a strong calendar of recreational and cultural events, a cosmopolitan food and wine scene, with well-established heritage tourism destinations across the region, including an emerging Aboriginal cultural tourism sector, led by Traditional Owners.

Protecting and enhancing these unique assets is a priority for the region.

Tourism operators and local hospitality and events businesses have been hard hit by COVID restrictions and continue struggle as they endure the long tail of the pandemic.

Ongoing Victorian and Commonwealth Government support is critically needed to bolster and diversify the tourism offer in Geelong, the Bellarine, Great Ocean Road and historic hinterland towns like Colac and Winchelsea.

This is a period of much-needed investment for G21’s local communities and the region’s ongoing prosperity.

What G21 wants

• $12 million to revitalise Torquay Town Centre, gateway to the Great Ocean Road.
• $12 million to construct the Gateway to the Otways Centre, a bushfire place of last resort co-located with a CFA fire station, a research and education hub and community facilities.
• Funding to complete staged upgrades of the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan.
• $24.6 million for the Adventure Trails ‘leading trails’:
  – $17.9m for the Great Ocean Walk
  – $4m for the Anglesea Mountain Bike Trail Network
  – $2.1m for Forrest Mountain Bike Trails Revitalisation
  – $100k to plan the Lavers Hill to Crowes and Melba Gully Trail.

Community and commuter trails can be found under Active Transport.

Other major tourism related projects include Geelong Convention Centre and You Yangs Regional Park.

A commitment to embed GROW training, employment and procurement principles in all government projects within the region.