Photo: thecourier.com.au

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green officially opened the Mt Elephant Centre, located at the base of the town’s famous volcanic peak on the floor of the old ballast quarry.

The Centre provides a meeting and activity place for local residents, with a sustainably built community building, outdoor shelters, landscaping, service infrastructure, and interpretive signage.

It will capitalise on the site’s strong eco-tourism potential by encouraging visitors to stop and experience all that Mt Elephant has to offer, from the sweeping 360 degree views to learning more about the region’s rich geological and cultural history.

New interpretive signage highlights local indigenous and settler history as well as information on the natural environment.

The Centre is also set to provide additional opportunities for education and research activities, including for schools and universities.

The $625,000 project has been delivered with $150,000 in Victorian Government funding in conjunction with support from the Trust For Nature and the local community.

The visitor economy is critical to the future economic development of regional and rural Victoria, with the sector contributing $11.5 billion to the regional economy and generating 114,400 jobs annually.