Fostering entrepreneurship and positioning Wyndham as a major tourism destination are the hallmarks of a Wyndham council plan to boost the region’s economic prospects.
The council’s economic growth and visitor economy strategy stated that visitation growth has almost doubled (up 98 per cent) in Wyndham between 2008 and 2016, with 46 per cent of visitors coming to Wyndham to see friends and relatives.
The report also found:
• Werribee Open Range Zoo continues to be Wyndham’s most visited tourism attraction, bringing in more than 600,000 people per year; and
• Wyndham reported $7.07 billion gross regional product in 2016, up 6 per cent over the previous two years.
The strategy aims to develop and grow precincts that promote new jobs, foster entrepreneurship and innovation, grow the number of tourists staying overnight, promote Wyndham as a business and tourism destination and boost the number of major events held in the area.
Wyndham council future focused economy portfolio holder, Walter Villagonzalo, said the strategy focused on building on Wyndham’s economic strengths.
“The relatively strong level of economic growth in Wyndham over the past 10 years has been underpinned by employment generated by traditional economy sectors, including manufacturing, retail and logistics,” Cr Villagonzalo said.
“Initiatives currently being implemented include … an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit, the inaugural WYNnovation Summit, which will be held between February 27 and March 6, and the development of a targeted Investment Attraction Plan.”
