Hello everyone,
After what has been a massive few days for our tourist towns, all roads are again leading to our part of the world, this time for the off-grid living festival in Chiltern.
Chiltern is turning it on for what’s expected to be a huge weekend of visitation with local businesses organising events, tours, food and so much more in addition to the festival itself.
Events such as this and those that took place over Easter are critical for our local economy and so it was wonderful to see our towns buzzing over the four-day break. Organisers of the Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival estimate 15,000 attended Saturday’s events.
Our Beechworth Visitor Information Centre staff say they welcomed more than 1000 people through the doors, with a mix of day visitors from across the region as well as many from further afield who stayed for several nights. We heard reports of long queues at several popular eateries in Rutherglen, with some businesses saying it was their best trading period in years.
No doubt the beautiful weather played a big part in bringing so many people to our region.
As we know, the lead up to Easter was a tragic one, and on behalf of all at Indigo Shire, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the elderly pedestrian, who sadly passed away after being struck by a vehicle last Thursday.
Our thoughts are also with all impacted, including the first responders, witnesses and passers-by.
To have two serious accidents occur within metres of each other in the space of a week, highlights the critical need for Main Street in Rutherglen to be prioritised for safety improvement work. We’re asking the Victorian State Government to honour the commitment it has made to expend the funds set aside for these works as a matter of urgency.
Take care,
Cr Sophie Price.