Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) (17:12:59): (1295) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me to visit Marnong Estate in my electorate of Yuroke. Marnong Estate is a significant new tourism development that includes a restaurant, a winery, a conference and events centre and accommodation. It is proving to be a very popular wedding venue in the north, and it is a beautiful venue. It has been respectfully restored to its former glory, as well as having a number of contemporary buildings on site. The development is located in Mickleham on the fringe of Melbourne, overlooking the Macedon Ranges and on the doorstep of the northern growth corridor. As well as attracting visitors to the area, Marnong Estate has created a significant number of local jobs since it opened to the public last year. Importantly, Marnong Estate’s operators have plans to expand further, creating more local employment opportunities in my community. I know that the minister is passionate about our tourism industry and creating more jobs, and I would greatly welcome the opportunity for the minister to visit and meet with Marnong’s operators in my electorate.

Response:

I was pleased to visit Marnong Estate on 5 December 2019, following an invitation from the Member for Yuroke.

The restored homestead, winery, restaurant, accommodation and function facilities were world-class. The Marnong Estate project represents a resurrection and exhibition of an important piece of Victoria’s history and a significant opportunity to attract visitation to the area.

I look forward to seeing the second and third stages of development for Marnong Estate, and its continued success in bringing visitors to Melbourne’s west.

The Hon Martin Pakula MP
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events