Insights - 5 August 2022
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BEN FRANKLIN APPOINTED MINISTER FOR TOURISM
Premier Dominic Perrottet has expanded the portfolio of the Hon. Ben Franklin MLC in the NSW Cabinet, adding the role of Minister for Tourism to his responsibility for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth.
Mr Franklin was elected to the NSW Parliament’s Legislative Council in 2015. He has served as Parliamentary Secretary for several portfolios including Renewable Energy and Northern NSW. In 2021, he was appointed Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth.
Mr Franklin is based on the NSW Far North Coast.
Mr Perrottet announced earlier this week that Mr Franklin and two other NSW Government Ministers would have their portfolios expanded following the resignation of Stuart Ayres from the NSW Cabinet.
“These Ministers have a proven track record of serving the people of NSW and I have full confidence that they have the experience to take on these additional responsibilities,” Mr Perrottet said.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “I would like to acknowledge Stuart Ayres’ support of Destination NSW during his time as Minister, which was a key enabler of a number of achievements including development of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030, securing the first Aviation Attraction Fund for NSW and supporting our stakeholders throughout the pandemic.
“Destination NSW looks forward to working with Minister Franklin and his team as we continue to deliver economic and social benefits to the people of NSW by growing the visitor economy.”
The Hon. Alister Henskens SC MP is assuming the additional portfolios of Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Minister for Sport. He is currently the Minister for Skills and Training and Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The Minister for Transport and Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Hon. David Elliott MP, is assuming the additional portfolio of Minister for Western Sydney.
Minister Franklin, Minister Henskens and Minister Elliot will be sworn in at a ceremony to be held this afternoon.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS
WESTERN PARKLANDS CITY WORKSHOP
Visitor economy stakeholders in Western Sydney have provided input on the new Destination Management Plan for the Western Parkland City.
Blue Mountains, Campbelltown, Camden, Hawkesbury, Fairfield, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly local government areas were represented at a Destination NSW workshop held this week at Panthers Event Centre in Penrith.
The workshop aimed to identify gaps and opportunities in the Destination Management Plan for the Western Parkland City, plus pathways to realising them.
Destination NSW Associate Director Visitor Economy Policy Justin Vaughan said: "Participants were encouraged to write their ideas on brainstorming boards, take part in a moderated panel discussion and rotate through five stations exploring the strategic pillars of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 as they relate to Western Sydney.
"It was a valuable opportunity to receive feedback from councils, businesses, Aboriginal stakeholders, universities, industry associations, potential investors and other stakeholders on turbocharging the future of this economic powerhouse of Greater Sydney."
An online survey will be sent to stakeholders who missed the workshop, before Destination NSW progresses approval of the new Destination Management Plan to help facilitate growth of Western Sydney’s visitor economy.
Destination NSW is hosting a Central River City workshop this afternoon in Parramatta.
FUNDING BOOST PUTS REGIONAL NSW ON THE MAP
The visitor economy in regional NSW is set for a $150 million funding boost, with applications opening for the second round of the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
Funding ranges from $500,000 to $20 million. Eligible projects include nature-based tourism infrastructure such as walking, hiking and adventure trails, and arts, culture and events infrastructure such as Aboriginal tourism experiences, and major event and festival infrastructure.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said: “Every dollar spent by visitors at local shops, cafes, accommodation and visitor attractions provides a much-needed boost to our regional economies.
"The latest round of funding is for high-impact projects that will increase visitor numbers, spending and the length of time people are staying in regional NSW.”
The Department of Regional NSW will host an online information session on 9 August 2022 to provide an overview of the program and assist with questions about the application process. Register for the online information session here.
The Regional Tourism Activation Fund Round Two is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund. Applications close on 27 September 2022.
NORTH COAST AWARDS CELEBRATE LOCAL HEROES
The annual North Coast Tourism Symposium and Awards Gala Dinner 2022 brought together the region's visitor economy stakeholders in Grafton on 28 July.
Destination NSW's Director Content and Creative Services Bronwen Gwynn-Jones presented at the event. She provided an update on plans to extend the Feel New brand position into regional NSW, offering real life examples and practical ways the Feel New brand can be applied to help grow the region's visitor economy.
Destination North Coast also explored the region's role in achieving visitor economy targets and provided insights into the North Coast Destination Management Plan 2022 – 2030, which is in development.
The symposium was followed by the North Coast Awards Gala Dinner, held at The Barn, Grafton Showground. The event celebrated the region's 2022 Local Tourism Heroes.
This year’s award winners were Donna Carrier (Bent on Food/Bent on Life); Ian Mobbs (Port Macquarie Hastings Council); Brenda Armfield (Casino Beef Week Festival); Alison Sloley and Adam Freeman (Clarence Distillery); Chrissie Thomas (Twin Towns Clubs and Resort); Dean Fuchs (Out of the Blue Adventures); Daniel and Jody Newhouse (Bellingen Canoe Adventures); Michelle Braiuka (Lismore City Council Visitors Information Centre); Tara Davey (Jetty Dive Centre); and Helena Smith (Jabiru Motel).
"With all the issues the industry has faced over recent years it was important to bring our stakeholders together to celebrate our industry and the vibrant future that it holds," Destination North Coast General Manager Michael Thurston said.
"At its heart, our industry is all about people and memories, and events like this are important to reinforce this point and demonstrate unity in an industry that needs to work collectively to achieve its potential."
SYDNEY SECURES TINA TURNER MUSICAL
The timeless music and inspirational life story of legendary recording artist Tina Turner is set to rock the stage of the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023. Destination NSW, has secured the Australian premiere of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. The Broadway and West End sensation celebrates the resilience and iconic music of the multi-Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend.
NEW CULTURAL MUSEUM FOR CHINATOWN
Chinatown is set to have a new cultural hub to highlight the contributions of Chinese people living in Australia, thanks to a $2.2 million investment through the NSW Government Creative Capital program. The historic Haymarket Library will be converted into the Museum of Chinese in Australia. It is one of 29 projects funded under the Medium to Large Projects category as part of the $72 million Creative Capital funding program.
CENTRAL COAST MAKERS TRAIL FUNDING BOOST
Central Coast Makers Trail - a culinary self-drive journey sampling local oysters, award-winning cheeses, botanical wines, chocolates, nougat and more - has been boosted by Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) funding, which will be used to expand and promote the trail. The Central Coast Makers Trail journey starts in Mooney Mooney at the Broken Bay Pearl Farm, traversing the region to Little Creek Cheese at Wyong. In between, travellers discover The Chocolate Factory Gosford and Firescreek Botanical Wines.
NEW CINDERELLA TICKETS ON SALE
The Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella will waltz into Sydney Lyric Theatre in October, supported by Destination NSW. Pre-sale tickets for shows up to 8 January 2023 are available now, with sales to the general public kicking off from 5 August 2022. Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a spectacular contemporary adaptation of a much-loved favourite. Cinderella will be a major drawcard for the night-time economy around Pyrmont and Darling Harbour.
FUNDING FOR WIRADJURI CULTURAL CENTRE
The NSW Government has announced $5 million in funding for Stage Two of the Wiradjuri Cultural Tourism Centre in Dubbo. The funding will create a touring exhibition space, immersive exhibition space, Aboriginal Business Development Hub, corporate event spaces and a Wilay Wiradjuri Keeping Place. The announcement builds on the community’s vision for an Aboriginal tourism centre that will provide significant social, cultural and economic benefits for Aboriginal Australians.
FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR PYRMONT REVITALISATION
The NSW Government has cleared the way for development to start on four major
sites in Pyrmont. Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said amendments to planning controls in the Sydney Local Environment Plan have been made to allow development applications to be lodged for new retail, dining, and visitor hot spots. New assets include an Indigenous residential college at the University of Technology Sydney and The Star’s planned six-star hotel, located next to a proposed new theatre.
TODAY SHOW VISITS TABLELANDS TRAILS
Channel 9’s Today Show weather presenter Lara Vella broadcast live from Braidwood in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region this week, showcasing the Southern Tablelands Trails, which were recently launched by Destination NSW in association with Destination Southern NSW. Mona Farm, Braidwood Bakery, Contentious Character Winery, Turalla Truffles and Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre were among the operators featured.
IMPROVING BOATING INFRASTRUCTURE
The NSW Government has committed a one-off $2 million funding program to support maintenance and repair works to boating infrastructure as part of a $28 million Boating Now Program. Minister for Transport David Elliott said the additional funds would help boating infrastructure owners across NSW undertake maintenance works to boat ramps, pontoons, wharves, jetties, boat ramps and car and trailer parks.
WINE & SPIRIT EDUCATION FOR SOUTH COAST
The South Coast Centre of Excellence (CoE) is delivering three wine and spirit training courses this month in Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley. Destination Sydney Surrounds South partnered with Destination Southern to secure a Bushfire Local Economic Recovery grant to fund CoE, which aims to build capacity of the region's tourism and hospitality industries. The first course will be held in Nowra from 8-10 August 2022.
ORANGE WINTER FIRE FESTIVAL
The Orange Winter Fire Festival kicks off today and will run until 14 August 2022, co-hosted by Orange, Blayney and Cabonne councils and Orange360. The festival is bigger and brighter this year, with Orange City Council hosting a range of free family activities in Robertson Park after receiving more than $285,000 from the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program.
RECORD ATTENDANCE AT CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
The state’s cultural institutions have enjoyed record attendances following the NSW Government’s $5.9 million commitment to free admission to museums and galleries. During the July school holidays, 100,000 people attended the Australian Museum, 40,000 children and their families attended the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 49,100 people attended the Powerhouse Museum and 21,000 people attended the State Library.
WEEKEND SUNRISE HEADS TO SNOWY MOUNTAINS
Thredbo and Charlotte Pass will be showcased on Weekend Sunrise this weekend. Weather presenter James Tobin will visit the regions during JT Travels NSW, a recurring segment created in partnership with Destination NSW. Mr Tobin will film the weather live from Thredbo on 6 August 2022 and Charlotte Pass on 7 August 2022. Weekend Sunrise is one of Australia’s highest rating national breakfast programs.
OPENING CELEBRATIONS FOR ALLIANZ STADIUM
A free community Open Day and Night will be held at Allianz Stadium on 28 August 2022. Open Day celebrations will give an opportunity to explore the venue’s many new features for the first time, tour the change rooms, meet Sydney Roosters, Sydney FC and NSW Waratahs players, and kick a ball on the new world-class playing surface.Open Night will kick off from 5pm, live performances from Australian music icons Guy Sebastian and Baker Boy.
ABORIGINAL RANGERS FOR NATIONAL PARKS
For the first time in NSW, an Aboriginal ranger organisation has been officially appointed as honorary National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers. Minister for Environment James Griffin said the Gamay Rangers now have the same operational authority as NPWS rangers and field officers in Kamay Botany Bay National Park and Towra Point Nature Reserve. About 12 per cent of the NSW NPWS workforce is Aboriginal.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
MORE BIODIVERSITY PROTECTED IN NATIONAL PARK EXPANSION: Gaagal Wanggaan National Park on the NSW mid-north coast is expanding with the purchase of a nearby property that has significant cultural importance to Aboriginal people. Learn more
$1.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES: The Aboriginal Languages Revival Program will provide one-off funding to 41 Aboriginal community organisations and groups to support languages revival projects. Learn more
NEW INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA COURSE: The Tourism Australia Aussie Specialist course provides global agents with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and culture and inspires them to learn more about including an Aboriginal guided experience in their itineraries. Learn more
EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANTS: Round Two of the Export Market Development Grants program is open and will close on 17 August 2022. Austrade has created a video to help with applications. Learn more
RACING TO A BETTER FUTURE: Increased prizemoney, improved job prospects and infrastructure upgrades to bolster the NSW racing industry will flow from approximately $260 million in additional NSW Government funding over the next four years as part of the 2022-23 State Budget. Learn more
COASTAL IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS OPEN: Coastal Councils in NSW are now eligible to apply for the latest implementation round of the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, funded by the NSW Government. Learn more
UPTOWN ACCELERATOR NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: The two-stage program is designed to fast-track the formation of local business communities and facilitate their growth into vibrant 24-hour economy districts. A virtual information session will be held on 11 August 2022. Register here. An in-person information session will be held on 16 August 2022. Register here
CRUISE360 RETURNS TO SYDNEY: The largest cruise conference in the Southern Hemisphere returns to Sydney on 25 August 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour. It brings together travel professionals, cruise line representatives, ports, destinations and industry suppliers. Learn more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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