Hepburn Shire Council will continue to promote tourism and economic development in the shire following a renewed partnership with the region’s peak tourism board.
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The council voted to partner with Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism at a meeting last week.
It cost the shire $83,000 to enter into the service and partnership agreement, money allocated in the 2017-18 budget.
Councillor Kate Redwood said it was important to continue to support Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism as it moved to continue new initiatives in the shire.
The board is involved in the push to see Victoria’s Goldfields, including parts of Hepburn Shire, listed as a World Heritage site.
Cr Don Henderson said world heritage listing would put the region on the world stage.
“That is the sort of thing that brings economic development,” he said.
Cr Neil Newitt said partnership with Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism will ensure council is a part of the world heritage conversation.
“This is a sound way to make sure we are participating in the world heritage area conversation,” he said.
Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism’s role is to develop tourism, manage and market destinations within the region and advocate for initiatives to grow the region’s visitor economy.
The visitor economy contributed $423 million to the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region in 2016, up 17.5 per cent from the previous year, according to a council report. The visitor economy was responsible for nearly 26 per cent of all jobs in the region in 2016.
The Victorian government committed to grow the visitor economy by $13.4 billion over the next 10 years in the Victorian Visitor Economy Strategy. Regional Victoria is seen to drive this growth.
Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism have worked with ChillOut Festival and Clunes Booktown to secure funding from Visit Victoria’s Regional Events Fund. Endorsement from the tourism board allows events to be considered for state funding.
