General News
24 June, 2026
Vacant shop will be transferred into visitor gateway, produce hub
LODDON Shire will spend $300,000 to turn an empty Bridgewater shop into the region’s new visitor information centre.
LODDON Shire will spend $300,000 to turn an empty Bridgewater shop into the region’s new visitor information centre.
Councillors were told at their meeting on Tuesday that the present centre in Wedderburn was not generating suitable return on investment in comparison to similar centres in similar council areas.
The shire’s 2023 visitor servicing review had recommended that the centre be relocated to a ‘gateway town’ such as Bridgewater where most visitors entered the shire.
Manager tourism and economic development David Stretch said: “The Loddon Visitor Information Centre Feasibility Report identifies a feasible public private partnership operational concept and in an accredited visitor centre at 25 Main Street, Bridgewater, as well as a feasible community-led solution supported by the Wedderburn Community House at the Wedderburn Community Centre.
“Bridgewater occupies a strategically significant position within the Shire’s visitor economy. As a primary gateway into the Loddon Valley, it receives materially higher volumes of passing traffic, in comparison to all other townships.”
The vacant retail premises in Bridgewater have been owned by council since rate recovery action more than 12 months ago.
Cr Gavan Holt said he was concerned council had committed funds to the centre 12 minutes after adopting a $3.5 million cash deficit budget.
Cr Miki Wilson voted against the plan. “We have restricted financial capabilities.”
Mayor Dan Straub said the centre would be funded with proceeds from the sale of surplus land.
Read More: Wedderburn, Bridgewater