The “poor” condition of the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges mineral springs is finally being addressed.
The state government is putting $240,000 from the Regional Tourism and Infrastructure Fund towards developing a Mineral Springs Feasibility, Business Case and Master Plan Project to boost local tourism.
Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Regional Tourism Board chair Noel Harvey said the mineral springs had been in need of work “for a long, long time”.
“There are lots of issues with the springs right across the region,” Mr Harvey said.
He said poor infrastructure and its maintenance meant visitor experiences were lacking.
“We get a lot of feedback from people saying how disappointed they are,” he said. “The signage is poor, information is poor, access is poor and often the pumps don’t work.”
Mr Harvey said the project was the chance to turn what was now “a pretty ordinary experience” into a special destination.
“We recognise that the mineral springs and the mineral water generally is the one point of difference that our region has that nowhere else in Australia has,” he said.
“We have a very unique opportunity to improve the visitor experience within the natural environment.”
Announcing the funding, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said upgrades would improve the potential for local businesses to prosper and would create a “beautiful outdoor space” for the local community to enjoy.
