Package will help bring back tourists: Premier

The Victorian Premier couldn’t have timed it better as he spruiked about getting tourists back to the North East and, in particular, to the fire-affected areas.

He was in town to support regional tourist and business operators and met 80 of them over breakfast, together with some Indigo councillors led by Mayor Peter Graham.

Neighbouring councils were also represented.

Mr Brumby had no new initiatives to announce but assured the town the federal and state governments’ $10 million tourism bushfire recovery package would help a lot.

It’s going to be spread across Victoria’s damaged areas, including the High Country.

Most cash will go into marketing and advertising, in addition to the normal marketing campaigns by Tourism Victoria.

“The first stage has already begun and is focused on getting people from Melbourne and interstate to visit the bushfire-affected areas and attend one of the great events that are happening in coming months,’’ he said.

Mr Brumby listed the Wangaratta Cup, Golden Horseshoes Festival at Beechworth, the Easter Falls Creek Festival, the Mount Beauty Music Festival, the Bright Autumn Festival and the La Fiera Festival at Myrtleford.

Someone suggested more Victorian schools should run excursions to view Beechworth’s rich heritage and he agreed this could be done by selecting suitable schools.

Mr Brumby spoke of the enormity of the task of rebuilding areas where 210 lives had been lost and 2500 homes destroyed or partly destroyed.

Cr Graham drew applause when he thanked Mr Brumby and his Government for helping the recovery process.

“We have had bushfires every two years and have always had good and strong support from government departments,’’ Cr Graham said.

Mr Brumby and Mr Graham visited several businesses in Ford and Camp streets, and he bought a couple of cakes from the Uniting Church’s street stall.