The government’s 2020-21 budget allocated $20 million towards regional events — $4 million for the regional events fund and $16 million in visitor economy recovery and reform plan.
However, the Visit Victoria website says information about how to apply for the fund will be updated soon.
In Echuca-Moama, events such as the Southern 80, Winter Blues and Riverboats Music Festival have been cancelled or impacted by restrictions in the past 18 months.
“The fund intended to support a strong pipeline of regional events through the 2020-21 financial year and encourage tourism from Melbourne and interstate has remained tightly shut,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is despite the events sector continually calling for support from the state government to help keep them afloat during the pandemic and to claw their way back as COVID-19 restrictions ease.”
Mr Walsh said regional events relied heavily on visitation from Melbourne, which benefits local accommodation, hospitality and retail businesses with economic profit and employment.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Government said Visit Victoria was working closely to support event operators.
“We renewed the Regional Events Funds with an investment of $20 million over four years to bolster regional tourism and support local businesses,” they said.
“Our support for regional tourism continues on multiple fronts, including new travel vouchers and direct grants to businesses.”
A further 80,000 travel vouchers were announced by the government after the latest Victorian lockdown resulting in Melburnians being locked out of regional Victoria for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend — another blow to the twin towns’ tourism industry.
Support for regional tourism businesses also included $4500 top-ups for Business Costs Assistance Program grants.
“Regional events are now being cancelled due to Melbourne’s lockdown and drop in tourism numbers,” Mr Walsh said.
“Regional events play a critically important role in the community and bringing everyone together. There has never been a more important time for communities to unite.”
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