THE hot word on the streets is that the juggernaut Channel 9 TV series of The Block home renovation show has already snapped up the properties they need in Cowes on Phillip Island ahead of a start to filming in the New Year on their 20th show.
At the Sentinel-Times, we’ve been told the exact location, but for fear of starting a stampede of interest, we’re just going to say Cowes – in the western part of Cowes.
But to say it’s huge (maybe a little too huge) is an understatement.
Asked for a comment on the prospect of nationwide coverage on Cowes during an extended TV and online series, president of Phillip Island Progress, Peter Paul, said there would certainly be “pros and cons”.
“Certainly, it will have an impact and you’d be hoping that it was all positive but just let me think about that for a bit and see what the community is thinking about it,” Mr Paul said this week.
The metropolitan and online media have picked up the story, saying the producers of The Block wanted to opt for a “sea change” theme in 2024 but have dropped the highly-popular tourist spot of Daylesford in the west of the state in favour of Phillip Island at the last minute.
They say they won’t go back to Sydney or NSW for fear of coming up against “strict council practices and terrible traffic” so they chose Phillip Island – go figure?
It comes after The Block producers reportedly left Daylesford in a mad scramble to try and lock in a new location for the renovation reality show’s milestone 20th season after their original plan to drop in on Daylesford fell through.
A source allegedly told Yahoo Lifestyle, an online news site that producers were “devastated” over the sudden change of plans, especially because they had spent over nine months preparing to film in Daylesford.
“The producers were so far along in the process that other options hadn't been considered,” an insider allegedly told Yahoo Lifestyle.
Of course, The Block is no stranger to Phillip Island and Bass Coast.
The Block host Scott Cam dropped a now prophetic hint to Hamish Blake in an hilarious radio cross last year, and they visited the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit recently as a prize pack for NSW couple Steph and Gian who hit speeds in the high 200kmhs with Penrite Racing’s supercar driver Dave Reynolds at the wheel.
The were joined by Victoria friends Eliza and Liberty in the jaw-dropping experience.
And Scott Cam has been a regular visitor here in his previous role as a Mitre 10 ambassador hosting tradie events and enjoying his connection with the local building scene.
So, Cowes it is, we’re told on good authority, for the 20th season of The Block but the jury is still out on the likely impact – good or not so good.
And as for the “strict council practices and terrible traffic” they’ve experienced in Sydney – they ain’t seen nothing yet!