Shepperton, Victoria could build a giant pear in new tourism bid

Courier-Mail

a day ago

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Amid the success of Australia's 'big things', such as the Big Banana and the Big Pineapple, a Victorian town is now advocating to build the biggest pear on Earth.
The city of Shepparton has a proposal for a three-storey pear right in the heart of the Goulburn Valley
Rocky Varapodio, a spokesman for the steering group seeking to get the monument on the map and into reality, said these sorts of attractions can 'highlight' regional towns.
A proposed Giant Pear to sit at the southern entrance of Shepparton. Picture: Bruce Mactier Building Designers
'We've been doing a lot of work on this and the background of it is that the fruit industry has really over the years talked about having a structure in the region that really symbolises and recognises fruit growing in the area,' he told Triple M.
Mr Varapodio said the giant pear was about 'telling a story' about the region.
'We think the time is probably right now to recognise this industry that's given so much to this region,' he said.
If constructed, it would mark the town's second 'big thing' - after a 16m sculpture of a murray cod opened at the Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery on the outskirts of the town.
Australia has over 1000 'big' landmarks across the country - one of the most famous being the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour and the 'Big Prawn' in Ballina.
Shepparton's proposed Giant Pear would join a smorgasbord of 'big' tourist attractions all over the country, such as the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Getty Images
The Goulburn Valley is well known for its pears, with 90 per cent of the fruit sold across the country coming from the region.
Mr Varapodio explained that potentially $2 million could be generated back into the economy, from the giant pear.
Speaking to Guardian Australia, he said: 'What we would really like to achieve out of this is for it to be a structure that is in the shape of the pear, and looks like a pear, that will symbolise fruit growing in the region'.
'But, more importantly, we want it to be a really good experience when you enter into the pear – we want you to have an exceptional, interactive experience.'
Early estimates have suggested the project could cost $1.3 million.
The steering group is seeking funding from all levels of government to help get the project off the ground.
Mr Varapodio explained the next step would be to get a structural design done, laying out his plan for it to be done 'properly and tastefully'.
'We want it to be a whole interactive experience when you walk into it with some really good technology such as touch screens and displays that really tell a story about this industry that's been so solid for this region,' he explained.
'It's hard to put a time frame on it but we would really like this to happen over the next few years.'
Originally published as 'Exceptional': Victorian town to push for three-storey Big Pear in huge $1.3m tourism push