Victoria’s regions

HMAS Canberra takes the plunge in the Bellarine Peninsula

The Bellarine Peninsula is set to add to its reputation as one of Australia’s premier year-round dive destinations when the decommissioned Royal Australian Navy warship, the HMAS Canberra, is scuttled next month.

The 4,100 tonne, 138 metre long and 30 metre high vessel will be sunk off the shores east of Barwon Heads on Saturday 12 September, creating a ‘must dive’ site for the Bellarine Peninsula.

Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville said the new underwater wonderland would become an oasis for marine life and offer ideal conditions for experienced divers to explore the ocean and its abundant marine life.

Studies by Tourism Victoria estimate the dive site will generate a net economic benefit of around $1.3 million per annum, with dive visitors set to enjoy local produce, dining, shopping and accommodation in the region.

Local residents will have the opportunity to watch the scuttling along the foreshore between Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. Once in position at the scuttling site, an exclusion zone of one kilometre will be enforced around the vessel and will remain until the ship is declared safe.

During the scuttling, detonation experts will work closely with Marine Safety Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment to protect marine life. A spotter plane will be used on the morning of the sinking to circle the designated area and watch for whales, seals and dolphins.

In the interest of public safety, the dive site will not be opened to the general public until an inspection of the vessel is undertaken and it is confirmed safe and suitable for diving. 

The ship was gifted to Victoria by the Commonwealth Government. The Victorian Government is providing $1.5 million towards the project.

$10 million for tourism bushfire recovery

The Australian and Victorian Governments have today announced details of the $10 million Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package to assist regions economically affected by the February bushfires.

The package provides $3 million for the enhancement and redevelopment of tourism infrastructure, $1 million to support regional events and $6 million for marketing of the bushfire affected areas.

The popular Grants Picnic Ground in the Dandenong Ranges National Park will undergo a $480,000 upgrade of its restrooms, BBQ and picnic facilities, while visitors to the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail in the Yarra Ranges National Park will receive $800,000 in funding.

Regional events set to receive a boost from the funding include the ChillOut Festival in Daylesford ($15,000), the Horsham Spring Golf Tournament ($15,000), La Dolce Vita in the King Valley ($10,000) exhibitions at galleries in the Goldfields ($30,000) and the well-renowned Grape Grazing in the Yarra Valley ($50,000).

The funding has already supported a number of key events in the affected regions including the Creative Gippsland Arts Festival, which received $50,000 in funding and attracted tourists to the bushfire affected region throughout May.

The Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package will also provide:

• $2.2 million for Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges marketing
• $1.5 million for High Country/Australian Alps marketing
• $1.5 million for Gippsland marketing
• $600,000 for Murrindindi marketing
• $100,000 for Goldfields marketing
• $100,000 for Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges marketing
• $50,000 for Grampians marketing
• $50,000 for outdoor education 
• $30,000 for the Australian Alps Mapping Project

Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson said the assistance package was already working to deliver economic benefits to the affected communities and attract visitors back to the regions.

“The affected regions have also been assisted in marketing their strengths to key international markets at the Australian Tourism Exchange in June,” Mr Ferguson added.

Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Tim Holding encouraged people to support the regions through continued visitation to the affected areas.

“Spring is a fantastic time of year for regional Victoria and there are so many activities, festivals and attractions on offer in bushfire affected regions,” Mr Holding said.

Unlock the secrets of the Great Ocean Road

The Complete Guide to the Great Ocean Road is an important new guidebook that unlocks the secrets to one of the world’s greatest travel destinations and other fascinating attractions in southwest Victoria.

In addition to covering many of the region’s iconic sights, the publication reveals where to find flooded volcanos, Gondwanaland’s rainforest survivors, the worlds’ largest living creature, aboriginal stone villages, shipwrecks, squatter’s mansions, waterfalls and deserted coves.

It also provides detailed information on beaches, walks, national parks and reserves, activities, heritage sites, and coverage of more than 50 local towns and villages.

The Complete Guide to the Great Ocean Road will be launched by the Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, on 31 August at Crown Plaza in Torquay.

Regional racing funds put Ballarat and Geelong on track

The townships of Ballarat and Geelong will receive funding boosts as part of a series of investments in major infrastructure and capital improvements at regional and rural racing and training venues across the state.

Funding has been provided under the $86 million Regional Racing Infrastructure Fund (RRIF), developed in partnership by the State Government, Racing Victoria Limited and Country Racing Victoria. The fund represents the biggest State Government investment in rural and regional racing venues in Victoria’s history.

Geelong Racecourse will benefit from $380,000 in RRIF funding for the construction of a stormwater harvesting system. The project will supply the racecourse with an estimated 110 megalitres per annum in stormwater, which will comfortably meet the watering needs of the track.

A further $150,000 has been set aside to upgrade the sand jog track at the Geelong Racecourse. The works will significantly raise the track’s alignment, drainage and occupational health and safety standards.

Meanwhile the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club is set to receive $116,000 to create a new 390-metre start on the track to allow for races over four distances, as well as $68,000 for new starting boxes.

The Ballarat Turf Club will also gain $36,000 towards the cost of designing a new 1400-metre uphill straight synthetic training track at Dowling Forest Racecourse.

Melbourne

Stay connected with Destination Melbourne online

Destination Melbourne, the city’s Regional Tourism Organisation, last week launched its new industry website.

The new-look site features upcoming industry events, current marketing and industry development opportunities, and provides access to the latest tourism research. It also includes links to other key organisations in the industry and a media centre where users can access Destination Melbourne newsletters and media releases.

To explore the website and benefit from this valuable industry resource, visit destinationmelbourne.com.au.

Film Festival breaks box office records

The biggest event on the Australian film calendar has closed its curtains for another year with the 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) enjoying its most successful season ever.

This year’s festival experienced an unprecedented number of sold out sessions, breaking box office records with attendances topping 190,000 – up from 182,000 last year.

Australian films Balibo, Blessed and the Loved Ones premiered to sold-out screenings across the festival and at least 146 MIFF sessions reached capacity compared with 91 in 2008.

Frankston marina plan underway

Frankston City Council has commenced the tender process for the construction of its long-awaited Safe Boat Harbour.

Once completed, the marina will become one of the premier public boating facilities on Port Phillip Bay. It will incorporate up to 300 permanent wet berths and 400 dry berths, public launching ramps, shops, restaurants, accommodation, and open space to cater for the growing Frankston City population and increasing tourist numbers.

The Council is currently seeking prospective developers to build and operate the multi-million dollar facility which will be located at Oliver Hill. Short-listed developers will be asked to prepare detailed designs, and undertake physical and numerical modelling to ensure the design doesn’t have adverse impacts on surrounding beaches.

It is anticipated that the project tender will be awarded by September 2010. With construction of the Safe Boat Harbour expected to take two years to complete, the facility is likely to be in operation by late 2012 or early 2013.

Industry

Tourism and Transport Forum appoints new Executive Director

The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has announced the appointment of Brett Gale as its new Executive Director.

Mr Gale will be responsible for the day-to-day management, membership and advocacy of the peak national industry association, providing depth to TTF’s public affairs and policy initiatives and bolstering advocacy in transport and tourism issues.

Mr Gale will officially take up his role in September.

Stella Hospitality Group announces new corporate identity

One of Australia and New Zealand’s largest accommodation providers, Stella Hospitality Group, has changed its name to Mantra Group.

The name change follows an announcement by owners CVC Asia Pacific that the Stella Group has been restructured and recapitalised with Stella Travel Services and Stella Hospitality Group being separated into two independently operating businesses.

The Mantra Group, which employs more than 3500 staff, will continue to operate the widely recognised Peppers, Mantra and Breakfree brands. There are currently 140 resorts, retreats, hotels and apartments throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Mantra Group Chief Executive Officer Bob East said the rebranding heralded new growth and expansion, with the company signalling its intentions to increase the size of its existing portfolios and introduce the Peppers product into a CBD environment.

Adventure & Backpacking

September holiday savings with BIG4 Holiday Parks

BIG4 Holiday Parks has developed a unique membership program specially tailored to offer savings at a range of businesses and attractions surrounding its holiday parks.

With more than 300 local businesses, services and attractions on board – ranging from the local fish ‘n’ chip shop to the nearby museum – the membership program ensures guests can enjoy savings while they are away from the family home.
 
Terry Goodall, CEO, BIG4 Holiday Parks said the Big4 Membership would be a welcome addition for families considering getting away for the September school holidays.

“BIG4 has the first ‘real’ holiday card in this sector as our Park Owners have built relationships with the local business and attractions their guests are likely to visit,” Mr Goodall said.

Visit big4.com.au to join or to find out more.

Media & trade visits

Tourism Victoria continues to support tourism operators across the state by coordinating visits (‘familiarisations’) for Australian and international media and the travel trade.

Riding the Bellarine Taste Trail

Sumptuous produce and mouth-watering wines will be the talk of the town when the media explores the delightful Bellarine Peninsula in familiarisations over the next fortnight.

Journalists from Getaway, The Sunday Age, Geelong Advertiser, RoyalAuto and News Limited will visit some of the region’s most charming attractions – including a mussel boat trip to Sea Bounty Mussels Farm, an encounter with the goats (and the cheese) at Drysdale Goats Cheese, and a visit to the ‘seal bachelor pad’ at Popeye’s Beacon.

The itinerary also includes time to sample the fare at the Bellarine Estate restaurant and brewery, the new ‘period menu’ at Queenscliff Hotel, and the cellar doors at Leura Park Estate and McGlashan’s Wallington Estate.

The media familiarisation will coincide with next week’s launch of The Complete Guide to the Great Ocean Road, a new guidebook that unlocks the hidden secrets and local adventures of the region.

Campaigns

Victoria’s tourism operators go the extra mile

Tourism Victoria has launched the first phase of its consumer advertising campaign for the Melbourne Airport 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards.

The print advertisements will provide a call-to-action for consumers to discover how Victoria’s tourism operators go the extra mile by inviting them to go to visitvictoria.com/awards

Placements will appear in Herald Sun newspapers until 18 October.

Additional Tourism Victoria campaigns scheduled to take place this month include:

What’s on

Melbourne Tourism Industry Exchange – Engage at the Grassroots

Destination Melbourne is encouraging the tourism network to attend the second annual Melbourne Tourism Industry Exchange (MTIE).

The MTIE provides the opportunity for the tourism sector to engage at a grassroots level to network, exchange information and share knowledge in an informal way with no speeches, seminars or lectures.

Come along and hear the latest news from attractions, retailers, tour operators, industry bodies and other service providers that will be showcasing their products.

To register your attendance please email

Qantas Sustainable Tourism seminar

Qantas Airlines invites Victorian tourism businesses to attend a free half-day training seminar featuring internationally renowned environmental and travel industry leaders.  

Building on the highly successful 2008 seminar series, the seminars will provide businesses with an insight into global and Australian sustainable tourism trends.

Businesses will also learn about the economic benefits of sustainable tourism and how sustainable practices can increase the value of your business.

Find out:

• The global and Australian perspective on sustainable tourism trends – how they will impact on your business
• Case studies – learn from experienced operators including the inaugural winners of the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
• Financial modelling - how sustainability and the Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme may affect your business
• The State view – what your state is doing about sustainability
• Hands on practical tools and tips to make your business more sustainable.

For more information and to register click here

Upcoming events

• , 28 August, St Kilda
• , 14 September, Melbourne
• Qantas Sustainable Tourism seminar, 23 September, Melbourne
• Dreamtime 2009, 12–16 October, Sydney
• Victorian Tourism Awards Gala, 16 November, The Palladium at Crown