FOLLOWING news that the La Salle Motel in Narooma is for sale, those that rely in tourism have been left wondering what more can be done to bring visitors to the Narooma district.
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Just up the highway, Peter Wilkins is the owner of the Holiday Lodge Motel and he has alleged Eurobodalla Shire Council’s own tourism board and department should be doing more.
Mr Wilkins also happens to running for council on the Eurobodalla Ratepayers Association ticket for Narooma led by Neil Burnside.
He pointed that council’s tourism board had not met recently and that there was a lack of focus in the department with the findings of consultant Dr Meredith Wray, brought in last year by council to workshop strategies with tourism operators, yet to be adopted.
These workshops were part of the process to develop a 10-year sustainable and strategic Destination Management Plan for the Eurobodalla.
But as part of Eurobodalla Shire Council’s organisational restructure and the independent review of tourism, responsibility for tourism moved to the newly named Community Development Division.
Council then created the position of “Tourism and Economic Development Officer” and hired Andrew Greenaway to fill that position back in February.
Answering claims of inaction and in many cases agreeing is councillor Rob Pollock, who happens to the chairman of South Coast Tourism.
Mr Pollock blamed the upcoming council election for the board not meeting and the lack of development of new strategies.
“It would not be wise to develop new strategies while we are waiting on a new council in a few weeks,” he said.
While the board had not met, he said there was still working going on behind the scenes with various committees and Mr Greenaway.
But while local, state and federal levels of government could all do more, he urged local businesses to focus on customer service, as well as the new internet and social networking technologies.
“The level of customer service needs to be exceptional so that people do want to come back,” he said.
“There is a definite downward trend in domestic tourism, so we all need to do more to attract those we can.”
Mr Pollock hoped the recommendations of Dr Wray would be considered and put in place after the election.
Also weighing in on the debate is the realtor now charged with selling the La Salle Motel for its owners the De La Salle Brothers.
Brian Hastie of Raine & Horne Narooma also happens to be running for a seat on the Eurobodalla Shire Council, but as an independent.
“Put simply, what needs to happen is more funding, especially for the southern end of the shire where tourism is the key industry,” Mr Hastie said about tourism in the doldrums.
Regarding the La Salle Motel, he said he attempted to suggest to the State Member Andrew Constance and State Housing Minister Prue Goward that the property could be used as social or low-income housing.
But he said he had not received any interest from either and so he and the monastic order were pinning their hopes on one potential buyer who had expressed an interest in buying and operating it as a motel.
Meanwhile, Mr Wilkins also said motels are also at a disadvantage compared to holiday homes or apartments usually don’t have to pay the water and other rates that businesses such as his do.
On this part of the debate, Mr Pollock agreed saying he had reviewed this issue for more than 10 years but there was no state legislative framework for charging holiday home rentals.
Meanwhile, the Narooma News went and asked some Narooma locals what could be done to boost tourism numbers to the town:
“More infrastructure that benefits tourists like a footpath up from the wharf up to town.”
Crista Mood, Teacher/librarian
“Our biggest problem is people bad mouthing the bar and not focussing on the positives like the fact we are closest to the island.”
Andy Legg, The Sheriff fishing charters
“I’d like to see more money invested improving the bar and I think there should be a marina this side of the bridge to attract game fishermen and passing boats.”
Ben Boulton, Playstation fishing charters
“Make the bar better because some people skip Narooma and keep going to Bermagui.”
Dean Friskin, Narooma IGA
“We need more cafes and restaurants on the water and a seafood restaurant would be nice. And something for the kids to do when it is raining.”
Jess Mason, Narooma Meat Centre
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