The creative industries in the Great South Coast are diverse – from the incredible UNESCO-protected Budj Bim, to its iconic festivals, street art, galleries, performing arts centres and the many creative practitioners who call the region home.
The Great South Coast Regional Partnership process told us how important the creative industries are to the region and why we need a comprehensive strategy to grow their impact into the future.
Creativity is a significant contributor to liveability and community development. It is also important in attracting visitors to the region, who in turn bring millions of dollars into the economy.
Along with my colleague Jaclyn Symes, Minister for Regional Development, I am thrilled that the five councils of the region have come together with Regional Arts Victoria to jointly develop a creative industries strategy for the region – to understand what is important, what is needed, and what can be achieved together.
The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support this process, which will also feed into an overarching creative industries strategy for Victoria.
This is also under development, so we encourage you to take part in the consultations and to share your ideas and insights for the Great South Coast and beyond.
Martin Foley
Minister for Creative Industries
Image: by Jo Grant – giant inflatable whale by Mark Cuthbertson, for the inaugural Upwelling Festival, Portland (2009)