Northern Rivers Tourism is calling for action after the relocation of the World Rally Championship to Coffs Harbour.
The organisation wants local councils to get proactive about tourism in the region, saying the loss of the event sends a hostile message to investors.
“We want to work with local government across the region to develop a really proactive regional events strategy, to work out what kind of events we want in this region.”
Northern Rivers Tourism wants to be more involved in the decision-making process during major events, after the state government failed to consult the community when the Rally first arrived.
“It was a collective failure and it is something that needs to be addressed. It is more about the overall trend and climate that this creates and the message that it sends to potential investors.”
NR Tourism calls for greater consultation … with them. What about the communities and the residents affected by some Sydney-centric bureaucrat’s idea of what is good for the Northern Rivers.
Consultation with so-called “peak bodies” is one thing, but if these peak bodies don’t speak with, and listen to, people on the ground it is meaningless.
When communities fight back, as happened with the rally, it is generally because their voices have not been heard.
Lets hope that Russell Mills is not talking about more of the same.