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A Star News Group Publication
PR OP ER TY
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Jack Frost effect’s chilly bite July started with a number of icy mornings and while some stayed indoors, others braved the chilly temperatures to witness the wintery beauty across the region. Emma Michael took this photo at around 7am in Lilydale on Wednesday 3 July, capturing a calm moment at Lillydale Lake as the sun rose in the distance and the grass was covered in frost, waiting to thaw out from the warmth of the day. Ms Michael wasn’t the only one either to get up in the darkness, with residents stretching from Woori Yallock to Emerald enjoying the crisp mornings. These residents were happy to share a selection of their photos with Star Mail. Turn to page 10 to see a collection
Each strand of grass was covered in a layer of icy frost as the sun rose over Lillydale Lake. (Supplied)
Tourism caution chief executive officer Simon O’Callaghan said the figures told a different story. “We are conscious that Major Events in Melbourne provide a short-term hit to the visitor economy - they do not drive a consistent approach to the business model the industry needs to sustain a regular workforce and ongoing trade,” he said.
Mr O’Callaghan said Melbourne and regional Victoria are falling behind the rest of the country when it comes to 2019 international travel levels, considering “Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have already exceeded their 2019 levels”. The state has also seen a two per cent decrease in overnight stays and spending com-
pared to the 2023 figures, signifying a trend relative to the cost of living. Boosting the visitor economy, encouraging people to spend and stay, and to visit regional Victoria, Mr O’Callaghan said would require targeted and strong marketing techniques from a state level as well as locally. To read the full story, turn to page 5
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While tourism in the Yarra Ranges has picked up since the pandemic shutdowns, seeing visitors return in droves to the streets of Lilydale, the Valley and the Dandenong Ranges, concern remains about visitor spending. The March quarter figures showed a positive incline in Victoria’s visitor economy overall but on the ground, Yarra Ranges Tourism