Campaspe Port Enterprise and Loco Shed Echuca will each receive a grant of up to $500,000 towards tourism-focused projects.
Campaspe Port Enterprise is set for a boost towards the Port of Echuca Wharf Revitalisation.
Loco Shed Echuca will also receive funding for the Echuca Loco Shed Restoration Development Plan.
The Port of Echuca Wharf Revitalisation will see a detailed design, heritage and development approvals, an updates business case, tender documentation and project budgets through the funding.
An investment prospectus will also be created to present to funding partners, with the goal of financial backing to support renovations.
This would include upgrades to the Cargo Shed, new catering amenities, wharf accessibility and loading facilities.
After significant damage from the 2022 floods, the project would look to support events and revitalise the Port of Echuca precinct to secure its place as a premier destination.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes welcomed the boost, which she believes will improve on Echuca’s tourism opportunities.
“The funding is a win for Echuca,” she said.
“It will not only create local jobs in the area in the future but will also deliver many economic benefits across the region.
“Creating new and exciting tourism infrastructure projects in Echuca will go a long way to strengthen tourism offerings and ensuring a strong local economy well into the future.”
The Echuca Loco Shed Restoration Development Plan also includes a detailed design and approval document preparations.
The site looks to incorporate a museum promoting local history, particularly with rail and riverboats, and provide an indoor function and events space larger than those available now.
In addition, state-of-the-art audio and visual technology would look to create a new tourism attraction to work in harmony with existing offerings.
The development plan would make the project shovel-ready.
Victorian Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos is thrilled to commit funding to projects like these.
“Regional Victoria has so many unique attractions and this funding will ensure we have new and exciting tourism projects in the works for years to come,” he said.
“This is great news not just for our tourism operators, but for jobs and local economies in each of these regional areas.”
For a complete list of the Enabling Tourism Fund projects, head to tourism.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support/enabling-tourism-fund
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