Have your say in Bathurst’s new Destination Management Plan

Bathurst Regional Council is commencing public consultation on a new Destination Management Plan. The Plan will provide a five-year strategic guide to make planning, capacity building, marketing and financial decisions about tourism in the region and to build upon the achievements of recent years. 

Tourism is an important part of the Bathurst region with more than 1.2 million visitors in the last financial year contributing more than $400 million in local spending. The Bathurst region is an evolving destination that has moved from being a stopover point and a city almost exclusively associated in visitors’ minds with the Mount Panorama racing circuit, to offering a diverse range of experiences based around events, heritage, arts & culture and outdoors activities, supported by a developing foodie scene. The region has seen strong growth as a destination of choice for families, particularly from Western Sydney, and has worked collaboratively with neighbouring LGAs to build the profile of the Central West. 

Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Councillor Jess Jennings, said that the development of a new Destination Management Plan was an important project for Council, and encouraged local businesses and community members to have their say.  

“Visitors and service providers impact and are impacted by tourism within the Bathurst Region in different ways. We want to determine how tourism in the Bathurst region can be improved now and grow further into the future. Understanding the range of stakeholder priorities and expectations will help us prioritise and plan for the future of tourism in the Bathurst Region.” 

“Working with a specialist communications agency, Council will be engaging through workshops, online forums, direct contact with businesses of the visitor economy and online surveys for businesses as well as locals and visitors to the region. We want to hear from as wide a group as possible, understanding that tourism is significant to our local economy and local employment. It has the potential to continue to be a strong growth area for us, so it is important that a new plan captures the priorities of industry and the community,” Cr Jennings said.  

Community consultation runs through until Sunday 21 July 2024 and Council encourages all interested stakeholders to provide feedback by joining a face-to-face or online forum, completing the online survey, or emailing or calling the project team. 

For more information on how you can be involved, visit www.yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 147 611. 

Public Consultation Forums 

• Wednesday 3 July 6pm – 8pm. Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, 1 Kendall Ave Bathurst 

• Friday 5 July 2pm – 4pm. Central Tablelands Collections Facility, 20 Leena Street Bathurst 

• Saturday 6 July 2pm – 4pm. National Motor Racing Museum, 400 Panorama Avenue Bathurst 

Industry Consultation Workshops 

• Thursday 4 July 10am – 12noon. Central Tablelands Collections Facility, 20 Leena Street Bathurst 

• Thursday 4 July 6pm – 8pm. Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, 1 Kendall Ave Bathurst 

• Saturday 6 July 11am – 1pm. National Motor Racing Museum, 400 Panorama Avenue Bathurst 

Online Forums 

• Monday 8 July 10am – 11.30am 

• Tuesday 9 July 6pm – 7.30pm 

RSVP at tourism@bathurst.nsw.gov.au  and information on how to access the online forums. 

ENDS 
Media contact: Therese Ryan Manager Corporate Communications P: 6333 6202 
M: 0437 958 478  E: therese.ryan@bathurst.nsw.gov.au