SUPPORT for a tourism body tasked with representing the Murray River region has shown signs of waning in south west NSW.
Balranald Shire Council has withdrawn its support for the Murray Regional Tourism Board, while Wakool Shire Council has renewed its status as a contributor, but not without some debate.
At Balranald Shire Council’s Tuesday night meeting, council approved a recommendation from its director of economic development Robyn Ryan asking council not to provide the $3529 required to extend the council’s membership for the next year.
In delivering her recommendation, Ms Ryan said council received much greater value for money from its contribution to Inland Tourism NSW, which costs the council just $1256.
At its Wednesday meeting, Wakool Shire Council has renewed its support for the Murray Regional Tourism Board (MRTB), at the cost of $6600 on the condition that a representative is invited to visit the municipality.
After the board’s inception in 2010, council entered a funding agreement of $6600 per year until 2012/13 .
Since then, local tourism operators received help with grant applications and social media workshops, and MRTB’s general marketing featured Wakool Shire as a ‘destination’.
But Councillor Colin Membrey said the organisation was unorganised and suggested they lacked knowledge of the Wakool Shire.
“I’m not sure they understand where Wakool is; it was clear in discussions they had never been here,” Cr Membrey said.
For more on this story see Friday’s edition of The Guardian (February 22, 2013).
