Renovation series The Block has begun filming in Gisborne South for its first ever tree-change series.
This season is set on a 79-acre property at McGeorge Road, which sold for $11 million last year.
The show’s executive producer and co-creator, Julian Cress, told the Express the Macedon Ranges was one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets.
“I’m so impressed by the region,” he said. “It’s a stunning part of the world. There’s an ability here to be in the beautiful countryside and be close enough to drive to Melbourne.
“The idea of a tree-change is on a lot of people’s minds, people are seeing it as a really good option.”
Cress made his own tree-change to the Ranges in June last year before an opportunity emerged to purchase land for the TV series. And, he has already discovered many of the region’s local creators.
“There are amazing artists and artisans in the Macedon Ranges and we hope to include in the series,” he said.
“Our intention is to explore the area. We already have local tradesmen working on site – we put a call out on hiPages and had a bunch of people register their interest in being part of the show – chippies, plasterers, electricians…
“We’re trying to source as much as we can locally, we really want to be a good thing for the local economy.”
The regional location is a huge change for the series that has been typically based in city and suburban areas.
“This is the first time we’ve gone regional and the first time we’ve had houses and properties of this scale,” Cress said.
Each property is about 10 acres and contestants will have 12 weeks to renovate both homestead and acreage.
It’s also the first year celebrity builder and The Block host, Scott Cam, will renovate his own house for the series.
“It’s a chance for him to show off what he can do,” Cress said.
The Block is expected to air on Channel Nine in the second half of the year, with auctions to be held before the end of the year.
