By TANIA PHILLIPS
FORMER Warwick Tourism and Events CEO Tracy Vellacott has welcomed a move by the Southern Downs Council to form an “in-house” group to help with the delivery of economic development, major events and tourism services.
“I believe it is a positive move by the council,” said Ms Vellacott, who had held an event role within the council for almost six years before taking on the role of CEO of Warwick Tourism and Events for more than four years.
“In my view, there is no one-size-fits-all for tourism and events. Each region has to be assessed by not only outsiders with best practice experience, but also those who know the local landscape well to know what will and will not work.
“You can’t fit a square peg in a round hole. Remembering that no one model is going to be perfect all of the time.
“A look at neighbouring areas like Scenic Rim and Toowoomba show that local government can look strategically at tourism and event opportunities in their region and support them in the financial, logistical and operational aspects necessary to deliver great visitor outcomes.”
Late last week the council announced they would stop providing funds to the region’s peak tourism body Destination Southern Downs to form their own group.
Mayor Tracy Dobie said the move was aimed at optimising resources and reducing red tape and would be implemented soon following a decision by Southern Downs Regional Council at its special meeting held Wednesday.
She said the council had resolved that it would not provide any further funding to Destination Southern Downs in the future, and new service delivery arrangements would be introduced.
“The council will not be providing funding to Destination Southern Downs and will be requesting that they cease delivery of their services by 30 June 2016,” the mayor said.
Destination Southern Downs (DSD) chair Corinne Butler expressed her board’s extreme disappointment with the Southern Downs Regional Council’s decision to cease funding, saying the group was particularly disappointed in the lack of consultation or “consideration of industry best practice.”
Ms Butler said a significant body of work relating to the future of tourism in the region had been compiled over the past four years by industry experts, experienced members of the community and indeed the local tourism industry.
“First and foremost, DSD would like to thank those members of our community who have and continue to volunteer their time in the interest of enhancing tourism in our region,” she said. “Unfortunately, it appears this valuable industry expertise and community feedback has been ignored.”
Ms Butler said that it was normal protocol for businesses with a significant financial and community stake in an organisation to carry out appropriate and well considered due diligence in consultation with that organisation before making significant decisions that ultimately affect business continuance.
Southern Downs Regional Council released a statement on Friday saying they had no comment on Ms Butler’s statement, however they said the mayor would like to reiterate the commitment made by the deputy chair and general manager of Destination Southern Downs at a meeting with herself and the chief executive officer on 19 May that the board and staff of Destination Southern Downs would facilitate a smooth transition of services and responsibilities.
Ms Butler highlighted that DSD had urged the mayor, CEO and individual councillors to consult with the organisation; this opportunity was not afforded.
“As a board, we are experienced enough to know that negative rhetoric is in many cases orchestrated by those who are unaware of the challenges faced,” she said.
“DSD has implemented all directives by the council, and we are successfully working toward implementing our KPIs.
“To be given just a short window of less than 12-months to implement the tourism strategy that the council created and endorsed without a satisfactory handover period is deplorable.
“We urge the council to review this decision immediately, with a thorough process and importantly, an understanding of visitor needs and industry best practice,” she said.
Tourism was one of the largest economic contributors to the Southern Downs economy, generating $313 million and providing 2400 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Merging tourism with other portfolios did not afford the recognition it deserved, Ms Butler said.
“Furthermore, it’s a backward step for tourism in the region not to consider visitor needs.”
