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$28,600 For Tourism Shelter In Morwell

• Morwell Rose Garden received funding from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund • Funding will be used to build a community and tourist shelter

By Russell Northe - 25th February 2014 - Back to News

„h A number of local community organisations contributed towards the project

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $28,600 from its $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to build a community and tourist shelter in the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden.

Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the shelter would have seating, display tourism information and house a storage area for volunteers.

ˇ§The Morwell Centenary Rose Garden is a popular tourist attraction and in 2009 was awarded the recognition of ˇ§Garden of Excellenceˇ¨ at the World Federation of Rose Societies annual conference in Vancouver Canada,ˇ¨ Mr Northe said.

ˇ§The garden is a popular open space, attracting local users and day trippers, and itˇ¦s also home to the annual Rose Pruning Event, with hundreds of visitors of all ages and abilities over three days in June.

ˇ§However, there are currently no facilities within the garden to provide information to tour groups and visitors.

ˇ§Volunteers currently use a shipping container to store equipment and two picnic tables to meet and have morning tea on the north side of the Rose Garden.

ˇ§This building will provide a new space and re-invigorate the area and accommodate universal design principles, particularly given most of the volunteers are aged between 60 and 80.ˇ¨

Mr Northe said the project would beautify the area, adding to the attraction of the Rose Garden which is already a significant drawcard.

ˇ§The project will provide an accessible source of tourism information for the Morwell area and in doing so it will help attract and retain visitors to Morwell and Latrobe City,ˇ¨ Mr Northe said.

ˇ§The shelter will further promote activities and events in and around the Rose Garden, including weddings and naming and memorial ceremonies.

ˇ§The Rose Garden is also very popular with Probus Clubs and special needs groups like the blind as it incorporates a sensory garden area.ˇ¨

Latrobe City Councilˇ¦s mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson, said that the shelter would be a most welcome addition to the garden.

ˇ§Having a purpose built facility such as this will dramatically improve the amenity of the rose garden in this area, providing an opportunity for a tourism display, seating and a storage area. The Morwell Centenary Rose Garden is an important tourism attraction for Morwell, hosting many visitors throughout the year. The shelter will also allow the volunteers to go about their business efficiently and effectively all year round,ˇ¨ Cr Gibson said.

russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388

Mr Northe said the Victorian Government was proud to invest in the $42,400 project with funding from its Regional Growth Fund provided to Latrobe City Council, which would contribute $5000 along with $5000 from Advance Morwell, $3800 from the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden Advisory Committee and $500 from Morwell Lions Club.

ˇ§The Regional Growth Fund is investing in community-led projects to strategically drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,ˇ¨ Mr Northe said.

ˇ§Since it was established in early 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has provided more than $350 million to support over 1200 projects across regional and rural Victoria, leveraging almost $1.5 billion in total investment.

In Latrobe City the Regional Growth Fund has provided $15.73 million to 48 projects, leveraging about $47.79 million in total investment.

The project is expected to be completed in February 2014.

For more information about the Regional Growth Fund visit www.rdv.vic.gov.au/regional-growth-fund

Media contact: Russell Northe 5133 9088

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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