From local music venues and small tourism operators, to the big events that draw tens of thousands of people to Victoria.
When the visitors stopped and the curtains closed, the Victorians who relied on these industries took a real hit.
Which is why, with this Budget, we’re continuing to help our arts and tourism industries to get back on their feet.
We are investing $17 million to restore and improve access to a range of iconic heritage and tourism sites across the state including the Werribee Park Mansion, Point Nepean Forts and Lighthouses at Cape Otway, Cape Schanck, Point Hicks and Wilsons Promontory.
Investing in creative industries
The Victorian Government has always championed Victoria’s creative industries.
Throughout the pandemic, we supported artists with measures like Victoria Together, which helped connect Victorians and gave work to creative talent through online content and music.
This Budget invests $246 million to help our creative industries bounce back even stronger than before.
It includes $6 million in affordable creative spaces for artists, and activating underutilised spaces run by local governments for local artists and creatives.
And the Go West Festivals Fund will commission stage shows and support jobs for artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, taking the arts sector in our western suburbs to a whole new level.
This will sustain and grow jobs that deliver the world-class creative experiences Victorians and visitors come to our state to enjoy.
It will also ensure that the cultural capital of Australia continues to support and foster emerging local artists and performers.
Investing in Victoria’s cultural institutions
More visitors to Victoria means more jobs for Victorians.
We’re kickstarting Victoria’s creative industries by supporting our galleries, museums and arts centres to do what they do best – put on a show.
With this Budget, the Victorian Government is investing $127 million in Victoria’s arts organisations and cultural institutions to be vibrant, strong employers and speed up business recovery.
This includes $32 million in funding to help support the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
This will fund Summer Programming and the NGV Triennial, bringing new major exhibitions and major tourism numbers to our state.
And with this Budget, Victorians can look forward to visiting our outstanding exhibitions and visitor experiences for many years to come, with a $17 million creative infrastructure package that will fund repairs, restoration and planning at some of our state’s best theatres and galleries – creating local jobs in the construction and trades sector.
That includes upgrades for Theatre Works and the National Theatre in St Kilda, the Castlemaine Art Museum, Footscray Community Arts Centre and planning for the Tarneit Performing Arts Centre, and the Dandenong Arts Precinct.
Investing in tourism
The Victorian Government is supporting Victoria’s visitor economy with $111 million to attract more tourists and promote Victoria to the world.
These initiatives will boost our tourism industry as international borders reopen and our visitor economy bounces back. They will support more tourism, accommodation and hospitality jobs in every corner of the state.
A $2.6 million investment will continue to attract a pipeline of national business events to Melbourne and regional Victoria. These events play a vital role in supporting local jobs and the state’s economic recovery during off- peak seasons.
In addition, the $4.4 million events recovery and support program will re-establish Victoria’s calendar of world-class events as we recover from the pandemic.
We’re also funding small- to medium-sized community events in Greater Melbourne, to help local neighbourhoods and communities come together after so much time apart.
Support for tourism operators
This Budget provides funds for the Emerald Tourist Railway, including the implementation of the Puffing Billy Master Plan. This will support the continued attraction of tourists to the railway and sustain local jobs.
Funding will also enable the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to relaunch activities this year, delivering more events with a strong workforce.
Funding of $5 million is provided to assist in the sustainable management of Victoria’s alpine resorts, ensuring they can continue to be enjoyed by the community.
Reviewed 29 April 2022