Our family-owned winery, Bigibila Wines, was established 28 years ago, and we opened our cellar door in 2019. Since then we have weathered numerous challenges including a global pandemic, financial crisis, high interest rates, inflation and export decline. Despite these hardships, we have persevered with the hope of sharing our passion for wine with visitors from near and far. However, our efforts are being undermined by the lack of proper tourism road signage directing people to our vineyard. This issue is not unique to us; other new vineyards and wineries in the Pyrenees Shire face the same problem.

For five years we have engaged in discussions with the Pyrenees Shire and Vic Roads to address this issue but to no avail. Meanwhile, more established neighbours enjoy an abundance of large tourism signs that effectively guide tourists their way. The disparity is not only unfair but also detrimental to small businesses like ours that rely heavily on tourism.

Tourism contributes significantly to local economies; according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA), domestic overnight visitors spent $77 billion across regional Australia during 2018-19 period (source: TRA). By denying us adequate signage, authorities are hindering potential growth and sustainability of small businesses which form an integral part of this industry.

We urge you - residents of Pyrenees VIC Australia or anyone who supports small businesses - to join us in calling upon the Pyrenees Shire Council and Vic Roads for fair distribution of proper tourism road signage across all wineries irrespective of their size or establishment date. Let's ensure every business gets a fair chance at success! Please sign this petition today!