Mayor's Message

By Cr Brett Tessari

Last week was one of those moments that reminds us what can be achieved when we invest in projects that genuinely benefit our community.

More than 600 riders took to the new Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail, setting off from both towns and meeting in the middle to celebrate the official opening of this fantastic new connection.

Seeing school students, teachers, families, cycling groups and community members all enjoying the trail together was a great reminder of what this project will bring to our towns and visitors.

The 13.5km trail provides a safe, accessible and enjoyable way for people to travel between Inverloch and Wonthaggi, whether that's for recreation, exercise, commuting to school or simply spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Projects like this improve our health and wellbeing, support local businesses, encourage active transport and help connect our communities in a meaningful way.

Importantly, they also strengthen our visitor economy by giving people another reason to explore Bass Coast and stay longer in our region.

That economic contribution is something that has been front of mind this week following the disappointing news that Phillip Island will no longer host the Superbike World Championship after 2027.

This follows the loss earlier this year of the MotoGP, two events that together bring significant economic and social benefits to our region.

These events support local accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes, retailers and tourism operators.

They create jobs and inject millions of dollars into our local economy each year.
The loss of the Superbikes is a significant blow for Phillip Island and further reinforces why we are continuing to advocate strongly to the Victorian Government.

Our message is simple.

If major events are removed from regional communities, there must be a clear commitment to replacing that economic activity and investing in projects that strengthen our local economy.

Bass Coast and Phillip Island have proven time and time again that we can successfully host world-class events and welcome visitors from around Australia and across the globe.

We will continue to work with government, tourism organisations and industry partners to secure the long-term future of major events and advocate for new opportunities that support local businesses and our community.