What an exciting year it's shaping up to be in Ballarat.
If you haven't heard already, popular Australian music festival Spilt Milk is coming to our creative city this November.
And what a coup it is!
With Spilt Milk expanding to Ballarat, we can expect thousands to converge on our city - filling our hotel beds and eating out at our local cafes, restaurants and bars.
We're extremely proud of the part we've played in attracting Spilt Milk to Ballarat.
We know that there is a thirst for new music offerings, and this festival is giving music lovers the opportunity they are looking for.
The potential economic benefits alone also tell us just how much we have to gain by playing host to a premier Australian music festival.
We already know from research conducted that for every dollar spent on live music, three dollars of benefit is returned to the wider community.
Looking at it from another perspective, the resources and offerings this has for our local creatives is something you can't put a price on.
Local musicians, creatives and artists will have opportunities to be involved as part of the festival - from fringe activities to possibly being part of the main action. The festival will act as a launching platform for those local performers who will have the chance to be a part of the festival.
As well as bringing in so many international and well-known Australian artists who we know will inspire our own, we want Ballarat to be known as the place for incubating, educating and establishing creative talent.
At the end of the day, securing Spilt Milk for Ballarat goes to the core of our Live Music Strategy, Events Strategy and Creative City Strategy.
We set ourselves a clear vision for Ballarat to be a compelling destination for world-class events by attracting and sustaining a vibrant events calendar that increases visitor nights and spend in the city - that's exactly what Spilt Milk helps us achieve.
I look forward to continuing our work with the organisers and hearing just who will be performing at Victoria Park this November.
- Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh
