In commencing this report our thoughts go to the people, families and communities that were impacted on by the recent Bushfires this season; especially to the families of those people who lost their lives.
Eleven years ago, our area was severely impacted by Bushfires and the Road To Recovery will be long with many challenges and not easy to say the least.
Fortunately, Lake Eildon was not directly impacted by these Bushfires, however, many businesses suffered secondary impacts. Lake Eildon is in the Mansfield Shire and the Disaster Declaration by the State Government had significant impacts on the number of visitors during this peak holiday time. We understand the reasoning for the Declaration and do not question it; but it had impacts to our communities.
I arrived in Eildon in 1975 to manage the Golden Trout Hotel and cannot remember a quieter January, during all this time.
To assist in Recovery, it would be great, if possible please, if you do not put off coming up to Lake Eildon for the Weekend or a few days and to visit all the Towns around Lake Eildon and spend money in local businesses.
Overseas travel might not be a good idea currently, so encourage your family and friends to holiday in the North-East and around Lake Eildon would be great.
The houseboat industry provides a lot of local jobs, so if you are thinking about building, renovating or extensive maintenance, don’t put if off as the multiplier effects to our local economy are significant and positive.
All the doomsday reports from back in September regarding Water Levels have not eventuated. At the end of January 2020, we were still on 40% of Capacity.
Some people scoffed at my predictions from November 2019 and I am glad to say I didn’t quite get it right. Australia Day prediction was 37% Actual was 40.26% (3.36% better off); Easter prediction was 29%; hopefully, now looking at 32%; which is just under two Sydney Harbours or plenty of water to recreate on.
Interestingly, we ended last Irrigation Season (May 2019) 19% behind that time last year; Currently, Lake Eildon is now only 8.2% below this time last year and Waranga Basin is 12.5% ahead.
We have made up over 10% and the Long Range Forecasters tell me the cycle has turned and we can expect a very wet Winter.
Some most interesting statistics from the Stage 1 Report of the Activating Lake Eildon Project.
Visitation to Lake Eildon in 2018, 869,958 people; Mansfield 494,780 people; Murrindindi 375,178 people.
Houseboat Visitors 39,516; Holiday Homes 134,570; Camping & Caravanning 371,214; Commercial Accommodation 230,373 people.
The Top Three Reasons for Visits: (i) Escape To Nature; (ii) Water Based Recreation; (iii) Outdoor or Adventure Activity.
Average Spend per Visitor $153.00
Average Spend for N-E Victoria $420.00
Economic Impact of Tourism & Recreation in the Lake Eildon Region 2018: Total Output $486.1 million; 2,548 Total Jobs.
This Activating Lake Eildon report indicates a substantial Tourism & Recreation Industry.
However, the very low spend per visitor per visit is a concern and provides the incentive for action.
By bringing this Spend figure up to the spend figure for N-E Victoria will mean an Annual Billion Dollar Industry employing an increase of up to 5,000 jobs.
An economic stimulus this area desperately needs.
The Challenge for Activating Lake Eildon is to put the right Structure in place that will remove the barriers and roadblocks to enable Private Enterprise in, to make it happen.
Just think a change in Regulation with Houseboats has led to around $50 million in Private Investment and a significant increase in Jobs.
Mike Dalmau
President
LEHIA