Yarra Ranges Council has endorsed the establishment of a new Visitor Economy Partnership which it says would help spread the funding of tourism initiatives across the region.
Aligning with the direction of the Victorian Government’s Visitor Economy 2021 Recovery and Reform Plan, a proposed Visitor Economy Partnership would see the transfer of Council’s current agreement with Yarra Ranges Tourism across to the new Visitor Economy Partnership (VEP) on 1 July.
However, the establishment is subject to a decision from Cardinia Shire Council and Nillumbik Shire Council later this month.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said the change would mean enhanced partnerships with nearby Councils, better opportunities to access State and federal funding and increased support for the wider region.
“Tourism is one of our most significant economic backbones here in the outer east,” Mayor Child said.Â
“We have millions of visitors coming to the region every year, with numbers expected to increase upon completion of our flagship Ridges and Rivers projects.
“Our neighbours in Cardinia and Nillumbik Shires are also active in growing tourism visitation and the fact is that many people travelling through will enjoy all our regions on their journey.
“This new partnership, pending approval from other Councils, could be the voice of our visitor economy in the outer east. It could 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 would take the best parts of what’s been done and bring on board our neighbours to band together and make something special.”Â
The Mayor said Cardinia and Nillumbik Councils would be making decisions about their involvement soon, and that the Council would work with its neighbours on the results.
“We, of course respect that this decision is not ours alone to make, and I look forward to working with our colleagues from Cardinia and Nillumbik going forward,” he said.
The Visitor Economy Partnership, which would be named Tourism East until the new Board developed a brand, would include an independent chair, representatives of each Council, industry representatives, skill-based positions and an advisory committee.
The proposed partnership and its legal structure have been co-designed by representatives from each Council, along with the State Government and the chair of Yarra Ranges Tourism.
