THE BLOCK is in full swing on Phillip Island and local people and businesses are reaping the economic benefits from the channel nine show.
While the value of the cash injection into the area can only be guessed at, for three to four months, 60 permanent film crew are staying on the Island, local trades are being employed and agreements with local services and businesses have been made.
Cast and crew have booked out the islands accommodation, including camera operators, sound assists, runners, admin and executive producers as well as hosts Scott Cam, Shelley Craft and judge Shaynna Blaze.
In addition to this, 57 film crew stayed on Phillip Island for two days while making the official promo for The Block.
The promo showcases the Island at two locations – the National Vietnam Veterans Museum and Berry’s Beach and will air six weeks before the show kicks off.
“I feel like we’ve had the warmest welcome that we’ve ever had anywhere making the show on Phillip Island,” said Julian Cress, executive producer and creator of The Block.
“We’re going to ensure that the program focuses on many local attractions and businesses.”
The Block have made official deals with local business and franchises including Island Building Hire, Flooring Extra, Tyde, Linen House, Flowers of Phillip Island, Offshore Design, Turn The Page Bookshop, Reece, Aldi, and Mitre 10, with more being added in the coming weeks.
Challenges that occur within the show, will also take place at tourist attractions around the Island, with locations still being locked in.
“We’ve partnered up with a lot of really interesting local businesses, local artists and community groups to work with us on doing those challenges,” said Julian.
“I believe that will really help the audience get an understanding of what a wonderful, diverse community there is on the island, and how many great attractions there are for people who haven’t visited Phillip Island yet.”
The main building group are Nine In Six who have subcontracted to nearly ten local trades.
Of the five houses that are being built, all have local trades working with them as well and contestants are encouraged to use local trades and services when and where they can.
Contestants are also encouraged to shop locally, and the crew are encouraged to dine out at local restaurants.
Host, Scott Cam, has already sampled the cuisine at Saltwater in Newhaven, and Cowes restaurants Pino Trattoria, Grenache, Hotel Phillip Island and Wing Lock Chinese.
“There’s a real level of excitement amongst our crew for the time that they’re spending, living and working on Phillip Island. Everybody’s so far really enjoying meeting people in the local community.
We’re hoping to return that favour by making a really successful show that delivers lots of tourism for Phillip Island,” explained Julian.
The Block’s social media pages includes 348,000 Instagram followers and 710,000 Facebook followers and will be a billboard for Phillip Island with daily posts once the show starts and sponsor Domain will be running content on their platforms as well.
Once aired The Block goes to 170 countries around the world and gets dubbed into many different languages.
“I think Phillip Island will find that there’ll be many tourists coming to stay come from some very far flung countries around the world because they watched it on The Block,” said Julian.