SPENDING has hit record levels in Loddon communities over the Easter and Anzac long weekend, according to data tabled at last Friday’s shire council meeting.
Spendmapp data shows an extra $116,000 was spent over Easter compared to 2024 while the increase was even higher over the Anzac weekend with an extra $167,000 spent.
“Our REMPLAN economic impact estimates indicated we would see an additional $240,000 spent in the Shire, based on the number of visitors we registered,” said Shire Mayor Dan Straub.
“The actual results, reported by Spendmapp, indicated (an extra) $280,000 was spent by visitors to the Loddon Shire during this period – a great result.”
The latest tourism and economic development quarterly activity report shows that in March, $3.47 million was spent in the shire, a 21 per cent increase on February, traditionally one of the quieter months of the year as part of the post-Christmas dip. And while the overall March figure is slightly less than the same month in 2024, long term trends show an upwards trajectory.
About 62 per cent of that local spend, $2.17 million, was by visitors.
Easter’s national orienteering event attracted 1000 visitors to the shire while there were 400 people and 200 vehicles in Inglewood as part of the 2025 Street Rod Nationals in Bendigo.
The annual Rheola Charity Carnival and the Boort Tennis Club Easter tournament were also part of the autumn surge of visitors and local spend.
“About 62 per cent of that local spend, $2.17 million, was by visitors,” Cr Straub said.
Visit Loddon Valley website statistics show that popular searches for Loddon attractions include Bridgewater, the Spanner Man sculpture gardens at Boort, Eddington Sprints and gold prospecting ahead of people travelling to the area.