Tourism body calls on State support

PEAK tourism body for Victoria’s midwestern regions, Tourism Midwest Victoria, is calling on support from the State Government following bushfires impacting the area earlier this year.

With fires burning through grassland and bush areas near Ross Creek and Dereel as well as Bayindeen in Pyrenees Shire, the organisation is seeking support for the tourism region’s recovery efforts.

“The recent bushfires were devastating for our tourism industry,” said Tourism Midwest Victoria chair John Pandazopoulos.

“As the fires swept through our region, destroying precious bush and agricultural land, roads were closed, V/Line services were suspended, and images of smoke and firefighters dominated front pages, instilling fear in potential visitors.

“We urge the Victorian Government to step up and support our communities in rebuilding and repairing so that we can not only survive but thrive in the months and years ahead.”

Representing the tourism interests of City of Ballarat and Golden Plains, Moorabool, Hepburn, and Pyrenees shires, Tourism Midwest Victoria estimated an immediate economic downturn of $300 million in losses from 850,000 potential visitors for the regions.

The organisation is advocating for $800,000 to assist with brand building and marketing initiatives, $300,000 to help support leisure events affected by cancellations or uncertainty, $200,000 to deliver business resource events over the next two years, and $12 million to rebuild key tourism assets.

Mr Pandazopoulos said the bushfires were just the latest to impact what has already been a battered tourism sector in recent times.

‘In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, coupled with the recent bushfires, our tourism industry has faced significant challenges,” he said.

“Through targeted marketing, strategic events, and infrastructure upgrades, we aim to rebuild and showcase that Midwest Victoria is open for business and remains the perfect destination for visitors from near and far.”

Projected to have impacted more than 2000 jobs, Tourism Midwest Victoria expects Pyrenees Shire’s tourism economy in particular has lost potentially $21 million in visitation spending.