A group of leading Goulburn Valley business people want to harness the region’s reputation for fruit growing and steer it into a three-storey-high icon to welcome visitors.
The heart of the idea is an interpretive centre inside the giant pear, setting out the history of horticulture.
The proposed site is at Emerald Bank on the southern approach to the city.
Grower and fruit packer Chris Georgopoulos said it was a project that truly represented the horticulture industry within the Goulburn Valley, which is known as the food bowl of Australia.
“Given more than 95 per cent of Australia’s pears are grown here in the Goulburn Valley, the Big Pear provides itself as a significantly important site to showcase the history of many businesses and families for future generations to visit, educate and enjoy,” Mr Georgopoulos said.
The proposed location puts the Big Pear next to the Museum of Vehicle Evolution.
MOVE chairman Geoffrey Cootes said the museum fully supported plans for the Big Pear to be built at the Emerald Bank tourist precinct.
“It will be a great addition to the tourism offerings in the region whilst educating the public and celebrating this important industry,” Mr Cootes said.
Michael Crisera from Fruit Growers Victoria said the organisation fully supported Greater Shepparton having a Big Pear at Emerald Bank to recognise the importance and history of horticulture in the region from generations of growers past and present.
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said the Big Pear would be a fantastic addition to the region’s tourism offerings and would showcase the unique horticulture industry and the incredible migration success that had contributed so greatly to the success of the region.
“I have always been enormously proud of our farming and fruit growers and the enormous success they have had over many years,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“This is a very unique opportunity to showcase our region and to create something quite special and different.
“I fully support this project and the opportunity to put the spotlight on our region.”
Destination GV chair Eugenie Stragalinos said she was supportive of any new project that brought visitors and investment into the Goulburn Valley.
“It’s great to see this will pay tribute not only to the horticultural story of the region but also the involvement of the migrant community,” she said.
Ms Stragalinos said there could be an opportunity to be recognised on the national ‘Big Things Australia’ map.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said council had spoken with the Shepparton Big Pear Steering Group and there would be further conversations about the project.
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