A New Future for the Otways Tourism Initiative - 19 Projects
Economic and Tourism Development
| Tourism Events Grants Program Capacity Building Project Increased Economic Activity in Forrest Melba Gully Tourism Events Feasibility Into Development of Nature Based Lodge Tourism Events Grants Program A Grants program has been established to provide financial support for the development of new and existing events run by local communities in the Otway Hinterland. The main objective of the funding is to stimulate visitation to the Otway Hinterland by assisting communities to plan and stage events. A great response was received for Round 2 funding, and successful applicants will be announced shortly via local media. Round 3 (the final round) will be open later in the year. To assist the community with applications and event planning, an event workshop was held in February in Colac. Over 20 participants joined Colac Otway Shire's Event Officer, Jodie Fincham and facilitator Tracey Hull. Tracey took the group through setting objectives for their events and how to effectively market the to the right people. Shire staff presented information on safe food handling and risk management planning. Participants were encouraged to work up an event plan throughout the day. In addition, a manual to help communities plan their own events is now available free of charge. The Events Manual covers everything you need to consider when planning and conducting a successful event, including gaining the right permits, considering risk management and detailed event management planning. The manual is available from the Shire offices. For more information about the grants program or Events Manual, contact Jodie on 5232 9516. See the Colac Otway Shire Website for grant guidelines and application forms: COS Website Capacity Building Project Tourism Alliance Victoria has been contracted by DSE to run the Otway Hinterland Capacity Building Project which includes planning, coordinating and delivering a range of capacity building initiatives over a three year period. See the Tourism Alliance Victoria website for more information: TAV Website or contact the Project Manager, Erin Slattery on 9650 8399.  Capacity Building - Tourism Forum Media Release (DOC - 66 Kb)Increased Economic Activity in Forrest Colac Otway Shire, in conjunction with the Forrest community, has undertaken a study to identify and plan for future development opportunities for Forrest as a result of the phase out of native forest logging in the Otways by 2008. Funding support for the project was provided by DSE under the New Future for the Otways Tourism initiative. A plan has been developed to outline what activities would best contribute to sustainable economic development in Forrest. Click on the link to download the report from the Colac Otway Shire website. Colac Otway Shire - Feasibility Study Report, May 2005 Melba Gully Events Melba Gully is a pocket of cool temperate rainforest near Lavers Hill. It's potential as a site for sustainable events to draw visitors into the hinterland has been recognised through the tourism initiative. Feasibility Into Development of Nature Based Lodge The "Victree" or "Little Aire" site (near Triplet Falls and the Otway Fly) has been identified as a potential site for a nature-based lodge and activity hub. Work has been done to identify a realistic site footprint for a proposed cluster of potential developments including identifying the site’s upper thresholds to supply power, water and handle on-site waste water management. Further investigation needs to be undertaken with a view to seeking expressions of interest for a private sector partnership at the site. Contact Us Call the Customer Service Centre on 131 186 or email: tourism.otways@dse.vic.gov.au Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site. |     |