Support your local events

FINALLY we are starting to see the run of fine summer weather, our eateries are packed and parking spots along the coast are at a premium.

It’s a busy period, and some of the things we otherwise take for granted – like getting a table without a booking or finding a convenient car park – are harder to come by at this time of year.

Council’s data shows that more than 400,000 people a night have stayed in Greater Geelong and the Bellarine during this holiday peak.

The population of the Bellarine more than doubles to about 127,000, with other visitors spread across the region in a range of accommodation.

An increasing number of visitors are staying in the heart of the city, drawn by the recently opened Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong (180 rooms) and Quest Central Geelong (87 rooms).

And when the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre opens in two years, a further 200 hotel rooms on the Waterfront will come online.

Among the many attractive qualities this region offers is a diverse events calendar.

The events provide an insight into what we value, and highlight our point of difference.

Think quality local produce, great music and art, high-class sport and recreation, and a strong community spirit.

Council is proud to support a wide range of events – from international competition right down to grassroots activities.

We do this for the social benefits they bring residents, and for the economic activity they generate for local businesses.

This support can come via Council grants, such as $10,000 to help deliver last weekend’s Portarlington Mussel Festival, or direct sponsorship.

Through our Geelong Major Events arm, we provided financial and in-kind sponsorship totalling $1.64 million to 18 events in 2022-23.

These events generated more than $81 million in expenditure, supporting the equivalent of an estimated 650 full-time jobs in our region.

More than half of these events offered some free public access, attracting more than 757,000 spectators and participants.

As chair of the Geelong Major Events Designated Committee, this is a very exciting period.

Summer delivers one memorable event after the next, providing so many great experiences for residents and visitors.

We have the Geelong Beer Festival in Johnstone Park on Saturday, followed by the two world-class sporting and cultural events the following weekend.

Last year’s edition of the Festival of Sails delivered an economic benefit of $11.6 million.

While the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – which combines a mass public participation ride and the best road cyclists from across the world – was worth more than $10.7 million and provides priceless television coverage of Geelong and surrounds to a global and national audience.

I’m also looking forward to the Victorian Open golf tournament next month, which will see men and women competing for the state open championship at 13th Beach.

The influx of visitors these events attracts provides a huge boost to our tourism and hospitality sectors, and helps those businesses remain viable during quieter times of the year.

The region’s visitor economy will be worth up to $2.1 billion annually over the next decade, as more and more people discover what we all enjoy in Geelong.

It is vital that we support and help enhance our events calendar, so we continue to be an attractive destination for the domestic and international tourist market.

Cr Anthony Aitken

Deputy Mayor,

City of Greater Geelong