Agenda of Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting

Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

7 March 2023

The Chairperson will declare the meeting open.

Meeting of Council committees are not recorded or streamed to the internet.

Parkes Shire Council acknowledges the Wiradjuri People who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land. I would also like to pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging of the Wiradjuri Nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal peoples from other nations who are present.

3 Apologies

In accordance with clauses 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 of Council's Code of Meeting Practice, apologies must be received and accepted from absent Councillors and a leave of absence from the Council Meeting may be granted.

4 Confirmation of Minutes

This is the inaugural meeting of this Committee. There are no previous Minutes.

5 Disclosures of Interests

All Council Officials must disclose and manage any conflicts of interest they may have in matters being considered at the meeting.

Council's Code of Conduct deals with pecuniary and non-pecuniary conflicts of interest and political donations, and provides guidance on how these issues should be managed.

Council Officials must be familiar with Council's Code of Conduct and their obligations to disclose and manage any conflicts of interest that they may have in matters being considered at this Council Meeting.

Note: Council Officials who declare an Interest at the Meeting are also required to complete a Declaration of Interest form.

6 Late Business

Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

7 March 2023

7 Officers' Reports

7.1 Election of Chairperson

IP&R Linkage: Pillar: Leadership

Goal: Our local government is open, accountable, and representative.

Strategy: Provide open and transparent decision-making and undertake the civic duties of Council with professionalism and integrity.

Author: Cian Middleton, Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy

Authoriser: Cian Middleton, Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy

Annexures: A. Tourism, Destination and Major Events Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (Adopted 20 December 2022) ⇩

Recommendation

That the Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee:

Elect Cr ______________ as Chairperson, pursuant to clause 6.1 of the Committee's Terms of Reference.

Background

At its Ordinary Meeting held DD December 2022, Parkes Shire Council ("Council") resolved to establish the Tourism, Destination and Major Events Advisory Committee ("the Committee") and adopt the Terms of Reference for the Committee appended at Annexure A [res. 408/22].

ISSUES AND COMMENTARY

Consistent with clause 6.1, the Committee must appoint a Chairperson from among the Committee's three (3) Councillor members, listed below (alphabetically):

1. Cr Marg Applebee

2. Cr Jacob Cass

3. Cr Bill Jayet

The Mayor serves as an ex officio member, with Cr Neil Westcott serving as an alternate delegate.

The process for electing a Chairperson will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Council's Code of Meeting Practice (detailed below).

The Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy will facilitate the election process. Following election, the Chairperson will assume the chair for the remainder of the Committee meeting.

Legislative and Policy Context

For the purposes of the election process, it is proposed that the process outlined in Council's Code of Meeting Practice (based on the Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW) be utilised:

6.5 If, at an election of a Chairperson, two (2) or more candidates receive the same number of votes and no other candidate receives a greater number of votes, the Chairperson is to be the candidate whose name is chosen by lot.

6.6 For the purposes of clause 6.5, the person conducting the election must:

(a) arrange for the names of the candidates who have equal numbers of votes to be written on similar slips, and

(b) then fold the slips so as to prevent the names from being seen, mix the slips and draw one of the slips at random.

6.7 The candidate whose name is on the drawn slip is the candidate who is to be the chairperson.

6.8 Any election conducted under clause 6.3, and the outcome of the vote, are to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications for Council associated with this report.

Risk Implications

Election of a Chairperson ensures that the Committee operates in accordance with its adopted Terms of Reference.

Community Consultation

There are no community consultation requirements for Council associated with this report.

Conclusion

Following the constitution of the Tourism, Destination and Major Events Advisory Committee, it is recommended that the Committee elect one of its three (3) Councillor members as Chairperson, in accordance with the Committee's endorsed Terms of Reference.

Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

7 March 2023

7.2 Visitor Statistics 2022

IP&R Linkage: Pillar: Economy

Goal: Our Shire is an attractive destination to live, work, visit and invest.

Strategy: Promote Parkes Shire as a tourist destination and support the continued growth of our visitor economy.

Author: Katie Nash, Economic Development Specialist

Authoriser: Cian Middleton, Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy

Annexures: Nil

Recommendation

That the Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee:

1. Receive and note the visitor statistics for 2022/23 Quarter 2, as detailed in this report.

Background

Parkes Shire Council ("Council") operates the Parkes Visitor Information Centre ("VIC"), located within the Henry Parkes Centre on the Newell Highway, which is part of the NSW Accredited VIC Network. This report outlines visitor statistics for the 2022 calendar year, identifying VIC attendance, Henry Parkes Centre museum ticket sales and accommodation occupancy rates.

ISSUES AND COMMENTARY

Visitor information statistics are compiled quarterly, including Visitor Information Centre attendance and the Henry Parkes Museum ticket sales. Local accommodation providers at an opt-in capacity provide monthly statistics regarding accommodation occupancy.

Visitor Information Centre Attendance

As illustrated by Table 1, below, total visitor numbers for 2022 were the highest on record, with the VIC welcoming 28,980 visitors. The October-to-December quarter was expected to be another record-breaking period, however, this did not occur due to significant wet weather and major flooding across much of Central NSW. Closures of regional roads and highways contributed to travellers being off the roads during this time.

Table 1: Quarterly Visitor Numbers
Year	Quarter				Total
Year	Jan-Mar	Apr-Jun	Jul-Sep	Oct-Dec	Total
2018	6,442	6,829	6,496	5,810	25,577
2019	5,595	6,164	8,374	6,245	26,378
2020	5,108	905	7,254	8,624	21,891
2021	6,169	9,169	1,161	3,269	19,768
2022	5,281	9,630	8,074	5,995	28,980

Henry Parkes Centre Ticketing Sales

Table 2, overleaf, provides quarterly comparisons and yearly totals for Henry Parkes Centre ticketing statistics.

Sales peaked during the April-June quarter, but unfortunately, due to the last quarter's downturn in visitor numbers, the record ticket sale figures predicted for the year did not occur. Ticket sales for the October-to-December quarter were the lowest they have been (other than 2021) in a seven-year period.

Table 2: Quarterly Ticket Sales
Year	Quarter				Total
Year	Jan-Mar	Apr-Jun	Jul-Sep	Oct-Dec	Total
2018	2,054	1,672	1,651	1,403	6,780
2019	1,511	1,755	1,781	1,190	6,237
2020	1,369	176	2,211	2,474	6,230
2021	1,689	2,537	222	553	5,001
2022	1,026	2,381	1,912	880	6,199

Accommodation Occupancy

Accommodation occupancy data recorded throughout 2022 was consistent, with six months of the year recording 75 per cent or higher occupancy. The October-to-December quarter recorded an average occupancy rate of 73 per cent, with Professional travellers slightly above as the majority traveller type (narrowly ahead of Tourists).

Legislative and Policy Context

There are no legislative or policy considerations for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications for Council associated with this report.

Risk Implications

There are no risk implications for Council associated with this report.

Community Consultation

There are no community consultation requirements for Council associated with this report.

Conclusion

This report provides the Tourism, Destination and Major Events Advisory Committee ("the Committee") with an overview of Parkes Shire visitor statistics for 2022/23 Quarter 2, including comparative data for benchmarking purposes. It is recommended that the Committee receive and note the report.

Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

7 March 2023

7.3 Development of draft Destination Management Plan & Parkes Bypass Business Strategy

IP&R Linkage: Pillar: Economy

Goal: Our Shire is an attractive destination to live, work, visit and invest.

Strategy: Promote Parkes Shire as a tourist destination and support the continued growth of our visitor economy.

Author: Katie Nash, Economic Development Specialist

Authoriser: Carrie Olsen, Executive Manager Economy, Destination and Activation

Annexures: A. Draft Destination Management Plan & Parkes Bypass Business Strategy Framework ⇩

Recommendation

That the Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee:

1. Receive and note the briefing on the development of Council's draft Destination Management Plan & Bypass Business Strategy, as detailed in this report.

Background

Throughout 2021, Parkes Shire Council ("Council") held preliminary discussions with Transport for NSW ("TfNSW") in relation to the development of a Parkes Destination Management Plan and Bypass Business Strategy ("the DMP and Strategy"). Noting the perceived impact of the new Parkes Bypass on local business activity and trade, Council sought a funding contribution from TfNSW to support the preparation of the DMP and Strategy, with a particular focus on:

(a) Defining clear strategies to grow and improve Parkes as a destination,

(b) Maximising opportunities, and minimising impacts, resulting from the new Parkes Bypass on local businesses and for the local economy,

(c) Identifying visitor economy growth opportunities, with a specific focus on businesses that currently service motorists on the Newell Highway, to foster resilience and preparedness for trading changes resulting from the new Parkes Bypass, and

(d) Identifying recommendations for visitor servicing, including consideration of key information gateways.

In May 2022, Council was successful in obtaining $100,000 in funding from TfNSW to support the development of the DMP and Strategy, for the purpose of engaging a suitably skilled and experienced consultant to work with Council in preparing the DMP and Strategy.

Council subsequently facilitated a competitive Request for Quotation process to engage a consultant, with Melbourne-based planning, economic development and tourism firm Urban Enterprise contracted in August 2022 to undertake the project.

Urban Enterprise is familiar with the tourism and visitor economy landscape within NSW and has worked with a wide range of NSW councils and public sector clients to develop similar strategies, including Central Coast Council, City of Newcastle, Destination Riverina Murray NSW, Orange City Council and Murray Regional Tourism.

ISSUES AND COMMENTARY

Urban Enterprise is progressing with the development of the draft DMP and Strategy, with the draft document due to be provided to Council in mid-April.

On Thursday, 2 March 2023, Urban Enterprise facilitated a briefing via Microsoft Teams for Council Management and staff, along with representatives of TfNSW, to discuss the strategic framework for the development of the draft DMP and Strategy (refer Annexure A).

The framework appended at Annexure A includes a high-level analysis of Parkes' target markets, including its existing core visitor markets and their motivations. Importantly, the framework identified two potential growth markets in the Education market, leveraging the Dish and TAFE NSW Parkes Campus, and the Business market, leveraging the new workforce from the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.

The framework is structured around six (6) key theme, namely:

1. Further develop Parkes' events and festivals program,

2. Grow arts and culture,

3. Enhance visitor economy product and infrastructure,

4. Improve visitor experience,

5. Facilitate industry growth, and

6. Strengthen destination marketing and brand awareness.

Urban Enterprise has proposed priority projects under each theme.

Legislative and Policy Context

As with all Council strategies, following adoption, the DMP and Strategy will form part of Council's Integrated Planning and Reporting ("IP&R") framework. Specific actions and projects identified in the DMP and Strategy will be programmed and funded for delivery via Council's Operational Plan and Budget.

Financial Implications

As detailed above, development of the draft DMP and Strategy was funded via a funding contribution from TfNSW totalling $100,000.00. Pleasingly, the project has run to budget with no overruns incurred.

Risk Implications

While Council supports the construction of the Parkes Bypass, it is noted that the local business community has expressed concerns around the perceived impact of the Parkes Bypass on business activity and trade via the diversion of traffic flow from Bogan Street and the Parkes Central Business District. The draft DMP and Strategy clearly outlines specific actions that Council can deliver to mitigate the perceived risks to the local business community and further develop Parkes' reputation as a tourist destination and enhance its visitor economy.

Community Consultation

Development of the draft DMP and Strategy has incorporated a robust stakeholder consultation program, encompassing industry engagement - comprising four workshops with business operators and industry stakeholders, including one with Destination Central West NSW - as well as targeted stakeholder engagement with various NSW Government agencies, including Crown Lands, Department of Regional NSW, NSW Forestry Corporation and TfNSW.

The project has also incorporated two (2) surveys, being an industry and community survey and a visitor survey, which resulted in a combined 904 responses. Table 1, below, provides a brief analysis of the survey results:

Table 1: Survey Analysis
Survey	Responses	Notes
Industry and Community Survey	34	Predominantly business respondents, few community members and community groups. 75 per cent of businesses based in Parkes CBD.
Visitor Survey	870	In-region survey (140 responses) Online survey (730 responses)

As detailed above, Council is expecting the draft DMP and Strategy to be finalised in mid-April, with Urban Enterprise to provide a briefing to the Tourism, Destination and Major Events Advisory Committee ("the Committee") in late April, after which a public exhibition process will follow.

Once the draft DMP and Strategy is placed on public exhibition, members of the public will be invited to review and provide feedback on the document, prior to finalisation and adoption by Council. The public exhibition period will be promoted via a page on Council's online consultation platform, Your Say Parkes, as well as via Council's communication and social media channels.

Any submissions received during the public exhibition period will be reviewed and considered by Council prior to finalisation and adoption of the draft DMP and Strategy.

Conclusion

It is recommended that the Committee receive and note the briefing on the development of the draft DMP and Strategy, as detailed in this report. A special meeting of the Committee will be held in April 2023 to review and consider the draft DMP and Strategy in full, after which the document will be placed on public exhibition.

Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

7 March 2023

7.4 2023 Trundle ABBA Festival

IP&R Linkage: Pillar: Community

Goal: Our community is creative, proud and has a strong sense of belonging.

Strategy: Deliver and support events, festivals and celebrations that promote engaged citizenship and foster community pride.

Author: Cathy Treasure, Visitor Economy and Major Events Specialist

Authoriser: Cian Middleton, Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy

Annexures: Nil

Recommendation

That the Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee:

1. Receive and note the briefing on the 2023 Trundle ABBA Festival as detailed in this report.

Background

At its Ordinary Meeting held on 24 January 2023, Parkes Shire Council ("Council") resolved that it would assume responsibility for managing the planning and delivery of the 2023 Trundle ABBA Festival ("the Festival"), to be held Saturday, 14 October 2023 [res. 028/23].

ISSUES AND COMMENTARY

Following the January Ordinary Meeting, Council staff have commenced planning the 2023 Trundle ABBA Festival.

A "Save the Date" announcement was made via Facebook on 21 February 2023. As of 28 February 2023, this post had achieved a reach of 54,100, with 1,200 "likes", 870 comments and 227 shared. Comments have been predominantly positive, with excitement expressed for the upcoming Festival.

Internally, Council staff are reviewing the Festival brand and progressing with the development of a new website, utilising the same platform used by Council's recently-launched corporate website (available at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au). In the interim, a placeholder page has been developed for trundleabbafestival.com.au, where fans can sign up to be part of a mailing list to receive further updates.

Council has engaged Ms Hayley Roach to coordinate the planning and delivery of the Festival, initially on a part-time, remote basis. Ms Roach will commence full-time in the Parkes Shire from 28 August 2023.

Legislative and Policy Context

There are no legislative or policy considerations for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

On the 22 December 2022, the Department of Regional NSW wrote to Council advising that it has approved Council's request to carry over the Regional Events Acceleration Funding of $90,000 to October 2023.

Council has also secured $30,000 funding for marketing under the DNSW Flagship Funding program.

A budget is currently under development for the 2023 Festival.

Risk Implications

Managing any entirely-outdoor event will always have high inherent risks. In light of progressively unpredictable weather patterns and severe weather events, it is becoming increasingly challenging to secure insurance coverage for large outdoor events. For example, in the lead-up to the 2022 Trundle ABBA Festival; Council's insurance provider advised in late September (just over three weeks' before the festival was due to proceed) that it would no longer be prepared to provide any insurance coverage for flood/road closure for the event. Council's Corporate Services team is currently working to secure insurance coverage for the 2023 Trundle ABBA Festival.

Community Consultation

Prior to the public announcement, Council's Events and Festivals team contacted key stakeholders to inform them of the decision.

Conclusion

Preparations for the 2023 Trundle ABBA Festival have commenced. Further reports will be provided to the Committee, once an event plan and accompanying budget have been finalised.

Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

7 March 2023

8 Confidential Matters

Recommendation

That Tourism, Destination and Events Advisory Committee:

1. Moves into Closed Session to deal with the matters below, which are classified as confidential under section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993 for the reasons specified:

8.1 Development of Parkes Shire Signage and Wayfinding Strategy

This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) - c of the Local Government Act, and the Council is satisfied that discussion of this matter in an open meeting would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it deals with information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

Further it is considered that discussions of this matter in open Council would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it would prejudice Council's ability to secure the optimum outcome for the community.

8.2 Development of Parkes Regional Entertainment and Cultural Centre Feasibility Study

8.3 2023 Parkes Elvis Festival Post-Event Briefing

This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) - a and d(i) of the Local Government Act, and the Council is satisfied that discussion of this matter in an open meeting would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it deals with personnel matters concerning particular individuals (other than councillors) and commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it.

8.4 Gates of Graceland at Parkes

2. Exclude the media and public from the meeting on the basis that the business to be considered is classified as confidential, pursuant to 10A(1), 10(2) and 10A(3) of the Local Government Act 1993.

3. Withhold reports and correspondence relevant to the subject business be withheld from the media and public as provided by section 11(2) of the Local Government Act 1993.

4. Make public resolutions made by the Council in Closed Session after the conclusion of the Closed Session, and record such resolutions in the minutes of the Council meeting.

Background, Issues and Commentary

In accordance with section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, Council may close part of its meeting to deal with business of the following kind:

(a) Personnel matters concerning particular individuals (other than councillors).

(b) Personal hardship of any resident or ratepayer.

(c) Information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

(d) Commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed:

(i) Prejudice the commercial position of a person who supplied it: or

(ii) Confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of Council;

(iii) Reveal a trade secret.

(e) Information that would, if disclosed, prejudice the maintenance of law.

(f) Matters affecting the security of Council, Councillors, Council staff and Council property.

(g) Advice concerning litigation, or advice that would otherwise be privileged from production in legal proceedings on the grounds of legal professional privilege.

(h) Information concerning the nature and location of a place or an item of Aboriginal significance on community land.

(i) Alleged contraventions of any Code of Conduct requirements applicable under section 440.

It is my opinion that the business listed in the recommendation is of a kind referred to in section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993 and, under the provisions of the Act and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, should be dealt with in a part of the meeting that is closed to members of the public and the media.

Pursuant to section 10A(4) of the Act and clauses 14.9–14.10 of Council's Code of Meeting Practice, members of the public may make representations to the meeting immediately after the motion to close part of the meeting is moved and seconded, as to whether that part of the meeting should be closed.