Werribee Visitor Information Retail Opportunity

Visitor Information Centres play a critical role within the tourism ecosystem, acting as trusted, central points for visitors to access destination information, plan their stay and discover local experiences. They serve as important connectors between visitors and tourism operators, encouraging longer stays, increased spend and broader dispersal across the region.

In line with contemporary visitor centre models across Victoria, the Werribee VIC presents an opportunity for local suppliers to showcase their products within a high-engagement, visitor-focused environment. By offering curated, regionally inspired retail, the Centre can provide visitors with an authentic and iconic representation of local businesses, while extending the reach of suppliers to a wider audience of domestic and international visitors.

This EOI seeks to establish a collaborative retail offering that strengthens destination storytelling, enhances the visitor journey and contributes to the ongoing growth and profile of Werribee and Surrounds as a must-visit destination.

The Werribee Visitor Information Centre invites local and neighbouring suppliers to submit an Expression of Interest to participate in the bespoke retail offering.

This EOI process has been designed to identify products and services that align with destination storytelling, enhance the visitor experience and authentically represent the Werribee and Surrounds region.

Step 1: EOI Invitation

Local suppliers are invited to submit an Expression of Interest outlining their product(s) proposed for inclusion in the Werribee Visitor Information Centre retail offering. Submissions should clearly demonstrate how the offering connects to the region, appeals to visitors and supports the overall tourism experience.

Step 2: Assessment and Evaluation

All submissions will be assessed against a scoring criteria focused on:

• Visitor appeal and relevance to domestic and international tourism markets
• Authenticity and representation of local experiences, stories and sense of place
• Quality, uniqueness and suitability for a visitor information centre retail environment
• Alignment with destination marketing, economic development and visitor services objectives
• Ability to collaborate, cross-promote and support broader regional tourism outcomes

The assessment process may include follow-up discussions or requests for additional information.

Step 3: Shortlisting and Selection

Successful applicants will be shortlisted and notified. Selection will aim to achieve a diverse, curated product mix that complements the visitor experience and supports a broad range of local suppliers.

Participation in the retail offering will initially form part of a 6–12 month trial period, subject to performance, feasibility and operational requirements.

Step 4: Onboarding and Trial Period

Selected suppliers will enter into an agreement outlining commercial terms, operational requirements, branding guidelines and promotional expectations. Products and services will be onboarded in alignment with the Werribee Visitor Information Centre’s retail and visitor services operations along with Wyndham City Council finance and procurement guidelines.

Performance will be monitored throughout the trial period, with opportunities for refinement, expansion or inclusion of additional products and services, including experience-based offerings and packaged tourism products.

EOIs must be submitted between 9:00am on Monday 2 March 2026 and 5:00pm on Friday 20 March 2026 via Council’s website.

By submitting an expression of interest as a retail supplier at the Werribee Visitor Information Centre gift shop (‘gift shop’), you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

These terms and conditions should be read in conjunction with other documents and information relating to the gift shop, including your expression of interest form and the information made available on Council’s website.

Submission of an expression of interest does not guarantee a supplier agreement.  Successful applicants will be notified using the contact details provided in their expression of interest form.

1. ELIGIBILITY

   1.1     Council staff, Councillors and their immediate family members are ineligible to apply.

   1.2     To be eligible to submit an EOI, you must satisfy the following eligibility criteria as a 
              supplier:
   
    a)  must be a business based in the Wyndham local area or broader Western 
                Melbourne metropolitan areas;
    b) must be committed to at least 6-12 months during the trial period;
    
   c) must not supply products or services that are not approved by Zoos Victoria;
    
   d) must not supply products or services which would be in direct competition with the 
                  Zoos Victoria onsite gift shop including calendars. 
   
   e) Authenticity and representation of local experiences, stories and sense of place

   f) Quality, uniqueness and suitability for a visitor information centre retail environment

   g) Alignment with destination marketing, economic development and visitor services objectives

   h) Ability to collaborate, cross-promote and support broader regional tourism outcomes
   
   

2. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

   2.1 EOIs must be submitted between 9:00am on Monday 23 February 2026 and 5:00pm on Friday 13 March 2026 via Council’s website.
   

   2.2 You agree to immediately notify Council of any changes to your EOI, including the request to withdraw your EOI by emailing tourism@wyndham.vic.gov.au
   
   2.3 Council accepts no responsibility for late, lost, incomplete, invalid or corrupt EOIs.
   

3. ASSESSMENT OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

   3.1 EOIs will be assessed by Council officers 9:00pm on Monday 2 March 2026 till 5:00pm Friday 27 March 2026 in accordance with the evaluation criteria available on Council’s website and may select applicants to become a supplier at the Wyndham Visitor Information Centre. 

   3.2 All applicants will be contacted by email no later than 12:00pmFriday 3 Apri 2026 and advised of the outcome of their application.

   3.3 Council reserves the right to not select any applicants to become a supplier at the Wyndham Visitor Information Centre.
    

4. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICANTS TO BECOME A SUPPLIER

4.1   Applicants whose EOIs are selected must agree to complete any additional documentation 
           and/or enter into any agreements as required.

4.2     Applicants agree to provide any additional information that may be required in support of 
           their EOI application to Council upon request.

4.3      Applicants who have provided false or misleading information in their EOI application will 
            render their application ineligible and will be withdrawn by Council.

4.4      Applicants must satisfy all the eligibility criteria set out above in clause 1. 
 

5. NO RELATIONSHIP

   Nothing in these terms and conditions or in the conduct of Council and an applicant creates a relationship of agency, partnership, employer and employee or joint venture between you and Council.
    

6. GENERAL

   6.1 Council reserves the right to change or modify these terms and conditions at any time and without notice to you.

   6.2 Council’s decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.