Lake Daylesford opera wild card gets government funding

An opera event is the most “out there” idea to be given the nod for planning funding, which otherwise centres on the region’s natural springs, Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Regional Tourism general manager Judith Isherwood said.

The feasibility study is one of three projects in a $195,000 funding package for Daylesford and Macedon Ranges which includes $90,000 for a Mineral Springs feasibility master plan and $50,000 to investigate demand for a new wellbeing retreat. 

“The opera by the lake is probably the most out there idea,” Ms Isherwood said. 

“The tourism region is recognised as having a significant number of people living and working here within the creative industries, however we don’t have any publicly funded gallery or performing arts centre so we think there is potential to do a new kind of cultural facility here of some sort.

“That one (an opera event) really was an intriguing idea that captured people’s imagination and now we have the resources to do some detailed analysis of what the potential is with the ultimate goal that whatever happens there is that it’s of international quality.”

The largest of the three projects will look to improve the “sub-standard” visitor experience at the region’s natural springs through a feasibility, business and master plan, Ms Isherwood said. 

“The pumps don’t work, the reserves are not maintained,” she said.

“People are attracted here because they’ve heard of the springs but when they come it’s a sub-standard experience.”

Ms Isherwood said the region’s spas were “pretty well at capacity” and welcomed a market analysis to demonstrate demand for a new facility. 

“I think everybody recognises that for tourism to continue to be a success in areas like this, there needs to be new product and new experiences because it’s quite a competitive industry, certainly around the spa and wellbeing.”