Long weekend provides huge boost to local economy
Published on 20 April 2023
Local businesses across Moyne enjoyed an almost $4 million boost over the March Long Weekend as visitors flocked to the region, latest data from Spendmapp shows.
Moyne Shire Council’s six caravan parks were close to capacity for the weekend as various events took place across the shire – headlined by the Port Fairy Folk Festival and more than 8000 guests welcomed to council’s two Port Fairy council run caravan parks.
Over the three-day long weekend - $3.97 million was spent across the shire – a 10 per cent increase on last year.
Almost $3.2 million of that spend was recorded in Port Fairy with the Folk Festival and Street Fair bringing huge numbers of visitors to the town.
Total local spend for the entire month across the shire was recoded at $15.4 million a 22.96% increase from the same time last year.
Of that figure, visitor spend was recorded at $11.2 million - which is a 27.22% increase on the same period in 2022.
Moyne Shire Mayor Cr Karen Foster said it was fantastic to see such strong numbers and continued growth in visitor spending.
“There is always something happening in Moyne, and the continued increases in visitor spend shows that,” she said.
“Port Fairy was buzzing for the Folk Festival weekend – the festival itself was a massive success and we have had nothing but positive feedback about the Street Fair which Council and the Folk Festival committee collaborated on.
“Right across the shire spend figures either side of the long weekend were strong, which shows that Moyne is still a destination of choice.
“The best thing though is this data shows money spent at local businesses and when local business is strong and doing well – the whole community benefits.”
Cr Foster said Moyne was the events shire – with something happening almost every month – and Council was proud to provide support because it means strong results for local businesses.
“While we provide financial support for many of these events each year through our Festival and Events fund – our teams also undertake a huge amount of work to ensure these festivals run smoothly,” she said.
“From our works crews working additional hours to close roads, empty rubbish bins and clean public toilets, our planning department who spend hours providing necessary approvals for any temporary constructions, the environmental health team who conduct inspections to ensure compliance with food handling and other health and safety requirements, local laws who increase patrols and of course the events team who provide an untold amount of support to organisers.
“Almost every department of Council is involved and when it results in strong spending figures like these for our local businesses and communities, it really is the icing on the cake.”
Cr Foster said it has been a solid start to the year with the trend expected to continue across April with Easter, school holidays and the Koroit Irish Festival driving strong visitation across the month.