August 21, 2020
South Burnett mayor Brett Otto believes tourism has a strong future in the region.
On Friday, he met with Jason Kinsella, president of the Visit South Burnett Local Tourism Organisation (VSB), to discuss this week’s Council decision to fund VSB’s activities over the next six months.
Mayor Otto said apart from helping to fund a Tourism Development Officer and VSB’s destination marketing efforts, the Council would also continue to invest in the development of tourism infrastructure for the benefit of both residents and visitors.
During the coming year this would include planned upgrades to facilities at both the Yallakool and Lake Boondooma tourist parks; the creation of a footpath alongside Bunya Avenue at Dandabah; the installation of a dump point for caravanners at Proston; and the start of Kingaroy’s long-awaited CBD upgrade.
VSB had submitted a proposal to Council seeking $140,000 funding over 12 months; this week Council responded with a six-month, $70,000 agreement.
Council also resolved to review the agreement with VSB in February, when further discussions would take place about any future funding beyond that time.
As part of the agreement, Council will provide office space for VSB at one of its Visitor Information Centres.
It has also invited the group to distribute marketing information via Council’s Visitor Information Centre network and media channels.
Mayor Otto said Council would work with VSB to develop appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and would be seeking regular reports as part of the funding. These reports would be publicly available.
“I would like to strongly endorse Council’s support for the partnership agreement between VSB and the SBRC and I’m really excited about the future of tourism in our region,” Mr Kinsella said.
“Tourism will form a major driver in economic development moving forward and this partnership is critical.
“We are seeing tourist numbers steadily increase as pandemic restrictions ease, and the South Burnett is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this.
“We’re a two-and-a-half hour drive from just about anywhere in south-east Queensland, and we’re very attractive to many people because we’re a COVID-safe destination.
“We just have to get out and tell that message to the wider world.”
- Related article: Council To Fund Tourism Group
