BRINGING HEPBURN‘S NEXT TOURISM WONDERS TO LIFE
Hepburn Shire will have even more amazing tourist attractions for people to visit with two exciting local projects getting off the ground thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today welcomed the funding for two significant projects for the region, as part of the Labor Government’s Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.
Hepburn Shire Council has been successful with $80,000 for the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve Masterplan that will establish a guide for the future development and management of the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve.
The reserve is home to several important and popular Mineral Springs, the commercial facility Hepburn Bathhouse, walking tracks and picnic areas.
Shizuka Ryokan will receive $54,000 to develop a detailed design package for the Japanese Bathhouse and Wellness Sanctuary that will complement their existing offerings. This will be unique within the region and encourage year-round visitation to the shire’s spa region. These projects are two of 29 new infrastructure projects across the state’s regional and rural areas benefiting from the Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.
The Enabling Tourism Fund is part of a $170 million investment to create more local jobs, support our important tourism businesses and attract more people to the incredible experiences on offer across regional Victoria.
The grants of up to $500,000 will support regional tourism projects to reach investment- ready status by funding feasibility studies and designing future infrastructure.
The fund is helping strengthen and grow Victoria’s tourism industry and is a key part of the Labor Government’s Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan. The plan outlines five priority areas that leverage Victoria’s competitive advantages – including First Peoples’-led experiences, Wellness, Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, and Nature.
All projects awarded funding under the Enabling Tourism Fund demonstrate alignment with these priorities.
To see a complete list of the Enabling Tourism Fund projects, tourism.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support/enabling-tourism-fund.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
“This funding is a huge win for Hepburn Shire Council and Shizuka Ryokan. In the future, these projects will create local jobs and will also deliver significant economic benefits across the region.”
“Creating new and exciting tourism infrastructure projects in the Hepburn Shire will go a long way to strengthen our world-class tourism offering and ensuring a strong local economy well into the future.”
