Music festival is cream off the top

WITH artists from Ballarat and around the world to take to the stage at Spilt Milk Music Festival tomorrow, the event is set to bring a positive economic impact to the region.

Last year’s event was estimated to have contributed $5 million to the Ballarat economy which is three times what is usually spent on a Saturday.

Local accommodation options are almost full and 10,000 extra tickets have been sold this year, meaning organisers are expecting an even greater economic impact.

Owner of Sovereign Park Motor Inn and Tourism Midwest Victoria board member Tim Canny said he expects the weekend to bring great benefits to Ballarat.

“The extra 10,000 people is enormous. It’s a lot more beds being sold and meals being sold,” he said.

“We’re almost fully booked and it’s been a very high demand weekend with a minimum of a two night stay.”

Mr Canny said businesses are learning from previous events how to maximise the benefits.

“I think the businesses are becoming a little wiser in capitalising on the demand and we are asking a two-night minimum stay and a lot of other places are doing that too,” he said.

“It means you’re not only getting more for your business but all of Ballarat reaps those rewards as well.”

Mr Canny said the benefits of Spilt Milk far outweigh any perceived or actual negative impacts the event might have.

“We’ve had really good experiences with past Spilt Milk events and they’re all really good people, we’ve had no issues whatsoever with the visitors that come,” he said.

“I think it’s a real minority of people in these big events that misbehave and do the wrong thing and it’s a tiny percentage that shouldn’t impact the success of the event.”