CYCLISTS will soon have even more of a reason to visit the region with several exciting cycle tourism projects receiving funding through the Victorian Government.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes last week announced that two projects will be funded in Bright under the first round of the $1.95 million Ride High Country Fund.
On Friday Ms Symes visited the Ovens Valley Motor Inn, one of the successful businesses, to congratulate Simeon and Shannon Crawley who received a grant towards a $1 million project.
The development will turn the existing 25 room motel located next to the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail into a bike hotel and hub.
The new cycle hub will consist of a cycle shop including a hire and tours desk, a bike cafe, an additional food and beverage outlet with large outdoor dining and meeting space with connectivity to the rail trail.
It will also incorporate a day spa/massage rooms, training room, bike maintenance and repair zone and a large bike storage facility.
Ms Crawley said the Ride High Country funding would make the project possible.
“We have watched Cycle Tourism in Bright and North East Victoria grow substantially during the 18 years we have operated the property,” she said.
“We have welcomed many cycle groups and over time the level of services required has become more sophisticated, we look forward to being able to fill that gap.”
The project also includes two new accommodation villas to complement the new facade of the property.
The second project funded in Bright will transform ‘The Place’ on the Back Porepunkah Road, into a cycling hub with 10 new cabins and bike facilities.
Three other projects in the region were also successful in securing funding.
The Ride Republic Cycle Hub plans to convert part of the Old Beechworth Gaol into a cycling hub with retail space for other cycle tourism focussed businesses and a bike shop.
In the Towong Shire The Rustic Bus will provide mobile, self-contained and off-grid accommodation tailored for cycle tourism in a re-purposed bus that sleeps up to six people.
A pop-up ice cream and refreshment stall called the Treat on Wheels will also receive funding and travel to strategic locations such as trail heads and carparks to serve drinks and snacks.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the High Country was experiencing strong tourism growth, attracting 3.8 million visitors spending over $1.1 billion annually.
Ms Symes said the Ride High Country Fund was established to encourage businesses to invest in cycle tourism opportunities to grow visitation to the North East.
“Cycle tourism is one of the primary markets fuelling this growth, and these projects have the potential to significantly increase cycle tourism visitation, resulting in a positive flow-on impact on tourism businesses across the region,” she said.
“We’re helping the North East to offer more exciting activities for visitors to do and to entice more people to come see what this beautiful region has to offer.”
Together, the funded projects are expected to generate 65 full-time equivalent jobs and will be responsible for $6.4 million of investment that will be poured back into the region.
