New initiative telling residents to think local this Summer

RESTRICTIONS may be easing but residents are now being encouraged to think local this festive season.

The City of Greater Geelong has introduced the new ‘It’s Our Backyard’ campaign to showcase local business operators across the region.

Fifty individualised billboards and banners will now be visible across Greater Geelong in a first of its kind advertising initiative from the City.

The banners will feature the faces of local business owners in hopes of boosting the economy after an unstable year of trading.

Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said while business is returning to the region, traders still need the community’s support more than ever.

“Summer and the Christmas period are always critical times for traders, and they’re even more important this year,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful chance for us all to show our care for our fellow community members by supporting local.”

With travel returning across the nation, Cr Sullivan is challenging residents to fight the urge to take off and reconsider staying local this Summer.

“There are some amazing places to visit only a short drive away,” he said.

With Christmas time around the corner, residents are further being encouraged to source their holidays gifts from locally.

“If you are shopping for Christmas gifts, it’s a great idea to buy as much as you can from local stores and makers,” Cr Sullivan said.

“Every local purchase, big or small, helps local people and our community.”

The initiative is designed to start getting residents across the region to think locally when seeking goods and services as many businesses still face a long road to recovery.

For more information about the ‘It’s our backyard’ campaign, please visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/itsourbackyard.