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Drought, Fires, Floods And Then…. Spiders?

The big question being asked this week is 'Where are the spiders?' Despite several news reports over the last 24hours,

By Latrobe City Council - 18th July 2007 - Back to News

It is at this point that tables are being thumped around the region and industry leaders are justifiably showing signs of frustration at inaccurate or misinterpreted reporting that will needlessly deter visitors.

We must be patient. The media outlets responsible for reporting the bad things that are happen in our world, also play a key role in letting the world know that we are open for business.

We need their support and getting angry with them will not help the cause.

We have made a lot of friends through the way that we have responded positively through bushfire and flood. Michelle Armstrong and the PR Unit at Tourism Victoria are working with travel writers around the state to generate positive stories.

There are many good things happening in the region that we need to share. The Bream are biting, The Snowy is flowing again, Mt Baw Baw is covered in snow and the Tour of Gippsland kicks off in a couple of weeks. Things will get better.

If you are getting frustrated, pick up the phone and invite your friends, relatives and good customers back into the region. Remember they will only come if they think they are going to have a good time.

Minister to support Twin Rivers Bream Classic
The Hon. Minister for Tourism Tim Holding continues to walk the talk, getting out and about in Gippsland on a regular basis. Mr. Holding has recently visited the Gippsland Lakes, Tarra Bulga National Park, South Gippsland, Mt Baw Baw and the Sale wetlands. He will be returning to East Gippsland this weekend for the Twin Rivers Bream Classic.

The 11^th Bream Classic will be conducted on both the Tambo and Nicholson Rivers, with $25,000 of prizes to be won. For more information on this event, please visit www.twinrivers.com.au

Gippsland Tourism Awards Ceremony Next Week
Submissions for the Gippsland Tourism Awards have now closed. Organisers are thrilled with the quality and quantity of submissions received across all categories.

It is a tribute to the determination of Gippsland’s tourism operators that so many submissions have been received despite the recent flood activity in the region.

The Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday 27^th July between 6-9pm at Bis Cucina in Sale. Special guest speakers on the night will be Geoffrey Conaghan from Melbourne Airport and renowned restaurateur Dur-e’ Dara.

As a tourism stakeholder, you are cordially invited to attend this event. If you have not already received an invitation and would like to join us, please RSVP to Jenny Brown on 0403 986 929 or jennybr@wellington.vic.gov.au by Friday 20^th July. Please get in quick, as these complimentary tickets are limited.

Access to national parks, coastal parks and reserves
The following park, reserve and road closures should be noted:

• Lakes National Park- closed.
• Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park - unsuitable for boating and should be avoided.
• The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park camping area west of Loch Sport and Golden Beach are closed.
• The Levee Track in the Heart Morass Stage Game Reserve - closed.
• Sale Common Stage Game Refuge, Dowd Morass State Game Reserve, Lake Coleman State Game Reserve, Lake Kakydra State Game Reserve and Clydebank Morass State Game Reserve are closed.
• Reserves east of Clydebank Morass State Game Reserve forming the remainder of the Lake Wellington Wetlands - closed.
• Holey Plains State Park - closed.
• The Lake Wellington Wetlands - closed.
  The Mount Elizabeth Flora Reserve - closed.
• Macleods Morass Blonde Bay, Providence Ponds and Moormung Reserve - closed.
• Mitchell River National Park closed.
• Existing seasonal road closures, which were in place in the Alpine National Park, Snowy River National Park and Errinundra National Park before the storm event remain in place. The Tamboritha Road at Licola is closed until further notice.
• The Wonnangatta/Moroka Unit of the Alpine National Park closed.
• Accessing Alpine National Park north of Heyfield and Briagalong is not possible due to road and bridge failures.
• Grant Historic Area is closed.
• The Corringle Slips camping area is closed

Corringle/Snowy River area is unsuitable for boating.

The latest information regarding park closures can be found by clicking on 'Before You Go' on the front page of the Parks Victoria web (www.parkweb.vic.gov.au).

Support Services for operators
If things are getting you down and you need someone to talk to, call:

LIFELINE Gippsland 24hr telephone counselling 131 114

Tourism operators requiring financial assistance may be eligible for grants through Centrelink. All interested operators are encouraged to contact Centrelink on 180 22 11 or visit www.centrelink.gov.au for further information.

• Local Government Hotlines
• East Gippsland Shire Council 1800 100 298 (8am – 8pm)
• Wellington Shire Council 1300 137 218

Contact these numbers if you are:

• Offering volunteer assistance with clean up tasks.
• Needing assistance or advice about flood impact issues such as septic tank overflows, refuse disposal, emergency assistance needs or personal supports.
• Needing information about cleaning up after a flood has inundated buildings.
• Needing services provided by local government, Centrelink, Department of Human Services (DHS), Lifeline, the Salvation Army and St Vincent De Paul and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in relation to the floods.
  

  Stock Disposal information is also available from Recovery Centres and Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

  Community Meetings
  6.30pm on Wednesday 18 July at St Mary’s Hall Pyke St Bairnsdale.

  The SES Flood Information Line can also provide information and connection to a range of services. Their number is 1300 842 737

  The Department of Human Services has further information on grants, based on eligibility, to assist flood affected businesses, farms and non-for profit organizations. To be eligible, applicants must have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods, be unable to affect the necessary repairs from their own resources and have exhausted alternative sources of assistance. Please visit http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/em_events/flood_recovery.htm

  Media/ Public Relations
  GTRRG will continue generating positive media and PR as the region moves through to the recovery process. Any ideas, issues or concerns in this regard should be forwarded to Chris Buckingham on 0429 869 638 or your local government tourism manager.

  Case studies and recovery stories would be very useful and most appreciated. Please send these through to: jennybr@wellington.vic.gov.au.

  The need for a strong and unified response to floods is critical. If you are contacted directly by the media regarding the impact of the floods, please refer them to Chris Buckingham on 0429 869 638.

  Reference information
  If you need more information on Gippsland’s Response and Recovery effort or the GTRRG please call Chris Buckingham on 0429 869 638

  People looking for inspirational Gippsland holiday experiences that are not impacted by Flood or Fire can go to:
  www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au and www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

  Part of this bulletin was derived from the Department of Human Services Gippsland Flood Recovery Bulletin 16^th July.

  Chris Buckingham
  General Manager, Gippsland Tourism
  Chairperson, Destination Gippsland Inc
  0429 869 638

  For more info on great holiday experiences in Gippsland go to www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au

  For industry information please go to www.destinationgippsland.com.au

  Chris Buckingham
  General Manager, Gippsland Tourism
  Chairperson, Destination Gippsland Inc
  0429 869 638

  For more info on great holiday experiences in Gippsland go to www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au

  For industry information please go to www.gippslandtourism.net.au

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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