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December Edition:
- VTIC Tourism Awards
- Single Use Plastic Ban
- Business support and grants
- Industry updates
- Tourism
- Agriculture
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…and in a flash, 2022 has come and gone.
While it might seem like a blur, for the team in Economic Development it’s been a year of re-connecting with industry partners (in person!), re-establishing stability, and catching up on many projects delayed due to COVID-19. Like everyone, we’ve also seen our fair share of workplace disruption due to COVID-19 illness and impacts of workforce shortages however in reflection, we achieved a great deal and there is much to celebrate and be proud of.
Some of our highlights include:
- Hosting two Paul Kelly drought support concerts (Buchan, Mallacoota)
- Implemented the new Pathways to Growth program for events
- Piloting Business Boost – Cultivating Entrepreneurs in Buchan and Bruthen
- Delivery of four Nature-based tourism forums and two Community led Regenerative Tourism Workshops
- Delivery of the Tourism Opportunity Plans for Buchan, Snowy to Errinundra and Cann Valley
- Hosted the STAY accommodation expo in Buchan (140 attendees)
- Completion of the Visitor Services Review
- $100K in shopfront improvement grants
- $250K of COVID Outdoor Activation initiatives
- Adoption of the 10 year East Gippsland Economic Development Strategy and 4 year Action Plan. Watch out for the release early next year!
- Commencement of the South Bairnsdale Industrial Park Water Augmentation Project with East Gippsland Water
- A new Invest East Gippsland Website (in partnership with EGMi) – to be launched in the New Year
- Over 400 new business enquiries serviced by our Business Concierge
- Introduction of the farm gate trail program
- Completion of a 12-month agribusiness development program (42 participants – 3 cohorts across the region)
- Inclusion of East Gippsland in a global Climate Change in Agriculture study
- And there is much more to come in 2023.
While many of you will be looking forward to taking a well-earned break over the festive season, others will be gearing up for what we hope will be a bumper holiday season.
On behalf of the Economic Development team, I thank you for your engagement and celebrate your unwavering optimism and resilience of the past year.
We wish you a safe and merry Christmas and look forward to working with you for a prosperous 2023.
Sincerely
Sharon Raguse
Manager Economic Development and Tourism
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VTIC Tourism Awards Gala Event 2022
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The 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards were held this month with a gala event hosted by the Victorian Tourism industry council at Melbourne Park. Among the prestigious list of finalists were two East Gippsland businesses. Our congratulations go to Fiona and the team at Sandbar Motel in Lakes Entrance for being awarded the silver in the 3 to 3.5 star accommodation category and to Martin and Rebecca at Beachcomber Holiday units for taking out bronze in the self contained accommodation category. The annual Victorian Tourism Awards are hard to win and our two award recipients should be incredibly proud of their achievements and recognition for a lot of hard work and dedication to their businesses and the visitor experience in East Gippsland.
Do you want to be involved in the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards? For businesses wishing to enter the Awards, sign up to our Awards Talk newsletter to receive emails with key dates, information sessions and more. If you're interested in sponsoring a category email Michelle King, on mking@vtic.com.au
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The Single Use Plastic Ban is approaching
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Local businesses that are affected by the ban; can discuss alternatives and recommended actions with the Gippsland Climate Change Network. Some of the banned items include drinking straws, cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, sporks, plates.
The ban applies to businesses and organisations including not-for-profits, government, sports clubs, schools, and others that are incorporated. It is the responsibility of all Victorian businesses and organisations to comply with the regulations. Council has previously contacted all registered food premises and continues to research alternatives.
Online Masterclasses, as well as many other supporting resources, such as flyers, posters and more, can be found at Sustainability Victoria. In addition, weekly information sessions will be held every Friday 11am, for businesses preparing for the single-use plastics ban. Register here or call 1800 844 946. More information can be found here.
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Visual Merchandising with Kylie
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Start the New Year with a FREE, One-on-One Visual Merchandising session with Kylie Fordham at your premises for and learn how to make the most of your visual space to get them in and keep them coming back!
With over 30 years’ experience in retail and visual merchandising, East Gippslander, Kylie Fordham from Smashing Windows Design and Display shares her expertise and insights, offering tips and tricks for creating a visual impact in your space to help build your image, increase traffic and improve sales.
Offer your customers and unforgettable shopping experience and book your individual session for 2023 with Kylie!
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Industry Update - Tourism
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Eat Drink Gippsland - 4th Edition Opportunities Selling Fast
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Eat Drink Gippsland 4 advertising opportunities are selling fast. To ensure you don’t miss out, please fill out the booking form.
Advertising panels are strictly limited, for more information please contact Phoebe at pgraham@destinationgippsland.com.au
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Reach more job seekers as VTIC member
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Become a VTIC member and post unlimited employment opportunities on the VTIC Jobs Board. Attracting over 200 genuine job seekers a month looking to work in the tourism and events industry.
For assistance, please send email or 03 7035 5700.
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Destination Gippsland is developing a Workforce Development Strategy for the tourism industry to address the labour and skills shortages.
Destination Gippsland are interested to hear about any innovative solutions you have utilised and understand the issues you are facing.
To answer our 5-minute survey please click here.
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Last Call - Free Australian Tourism Data Warehouse Listings
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The free ATDW listings offer from Visit Victoria has been extended to the 31 December 2022.
Tourism businesses and events who wish to maximise the benefits of Destination Gippsland’s marketing campaigns should have an up-to-date ATDW listing to participate fully.
Contact Phoebe at Destination Gippsland for more details and to receive a code for a free listing pgraham@destinationgippsland.com.au
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Navigate the Digital Maze
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Destination Gippsland is hosting sessions from 10.00am to 11.00am fortnightly recommencing Wednesday 21 December 2022.
You are invited to drop in to share information or ask questions about all things digital.
To register please see here.
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Industry Update - Agriculture
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Revised Draft Rural Land Use Strategy
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The revised draft Rural Land Use Strategy is open feedback till 3 February 2023.
The strategy aims to:
- Identify and protect agricultural land
- Direct residential development to towns and settlements
- Support rural tourism and rural industries in appropriate locations
- Recognise the need to support population retention in remote settlements
- Protect our natural environment and manage risks from natural hazards.
More Information
Council is also preparing a Housing and Settlement Strategy (H&SS) available for community feedback at the same time as the RLUS. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the strategies, please contact feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au.
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Championing our rural and regional businesses
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"Backbone" is for and about rural and regional businesses. It is designed to support your business to thrive. It may inspire ideas to improve performance, solve pain points, create efficiencies, reduce risks, find opportunities. It shares stories, knowledge, strategies and tools, and helps you through crisis, recovery, start-up, growth, transition or sale.
Pick up your FREE copy from East Gippsland Shire Council or venues around the region, or contact the publishers, RFCS Gippsland on 1300 045 747
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Business Support and Grants
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Caravan Parks Grant Program
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Eligible Caravan Parks Grant can apply for infrastructure upgrade grants between $10,000 and $100,000. Grants must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar (or more) basis for successful applicants. The most competitive applications will receive funding.
For more information click here.
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A support package is still available for flood-affected farmers:
- Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants
- Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000
- Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000
- Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000
For more information click here.
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New grants available for Victorian distillers
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The Distillery Door Program supports Victorian distillers to upscale their operations and create new and unique visitor experiences.
Funding up to $20,000 are available to support business operations and efficiency. Funding up to $70,000 are available to establish or enhance a distillery door and attract more visitors.
Applications close 7 April 2023. For more information click here.
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Grant Guru
Sign up to Grant Guru
Also available is Grant Guru, a one-stop shop comprehensive grants database. You can create your own login and develop a grants profile or just search for a grant suitable for you. For more information, visit the East Gippsland Grant Guru portal.
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
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The Headway initiative comprises a number of programs, tools and resources developed through partnerships with leading researchers, mental health organisations, workplace safety experts and industry peak bodies. These include Partners in Wellbeing, a Mindarma online wellbeing program, a WorkSafe WorkWell Toolkit and Workplace Wellbeing Hub.
Visit Business Victoria for more information.
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Speak to someone today by phone, email, or chat: Partners in Wellbeing Helpline 1300 375 330 or visit partnersinwellbeing.org.au.
Do you need help in your language? Call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter, then ask to be connected to Partners in Wellbeing on 1300 375 330.
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My Council, My Community
The monthly My Council, My Community newsletter is packed full of news about Council's projects, services, major decisions, open consultations and more. The previous community e-newsletter can be downloaded here. |
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You can get in touch with the Economic Development Team by phoning 5153 9500 or via email.
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