Response by Bill Fisher – representing Bill Palmer’s Group - Coffs Harbour City Council Elections
September 12th, 2008
Brief Background Information
Bill Palmer has strong links to Coffs Harbour and to the tourism industry. Whilst I have lived in Coffs Harbour for 10 years, I have had 37 years experience in local government (the bulk of that time at executive level) and I have developed good communication techniques over that period of time. I strongly support the consultation process and see consultation as a means of resolving issues and identifying strengths/weaknesses /opportunities/threats.
Thank you for the opportunity to place in writing our comments regarding the meeting outcomes and what our thoughts are in relation to Coffs Tourism.
Meeting Outcomes
It appeared that not all speakers represented particular sections of the local tourism industry however it was clear that speakers were keen to highlight past experiences and offer suggestions on means to improve tourism on the Coffs Coast.
Future Options
One of the comments passed at the meeting suggested that the Coffs Coast needs to draw clients during the off season. After speaking with several members of your association, it became apparent that we already have many activities and destinations that can be accessed by clients however some of our accommodation facilities are not measuring up to standards required by our visitors. Quality of accommodation is not an issue that can be addressed by Council, however maybe that is something that Council could “tease out” by facilitating a “Brainstorming Forum”, incorporating the Chamber of Commerce, Coffs Tourism, Southern Cross University and Council. Transport also seems to be a serious limitation.
Coffs Coast and the adjacent hinterlands already have many naturally beautiful destinations and Council could value-add to those destinations by “improved” access roads and better facilities – easy access to toilets, BBQ’s and the like. Of course Council has limited funds to spread around all community needs and there would be a need to plan required works and spread those works over an appropriate period. Coffs Tourism should be directly involved in that planning – sustainability being the key word.
Another area where Council is involved is the Development Approval process. Planning legislation limits Council’s capacity to “control” development such as “limiting the number of motels in a precinct” however the brainstorming forum may offer Coffs Tourism the opportunity to become more directly involved in the strategic planning process. If there is a particular type of activity that could add value to local tourism, Council may consider offering incentives to encourage such proposals. I should preface this by saying that Council meetings are a democratic process and depend on majority decisions.
Is there a review process used to ensure that strategic plans and financial plans are altered as the need arises and audits are carried out to ensure that client needs are being met?
Conclusion
Tourism plays a vital role in the economy of our region. It is vital that all stakeholders have input to planning and decisions that may impact on the tourism industry. A united voice can only improve a situation that is currently problematic.
To all councillors and future councillors please consider why you are representing your local residents. Currently so many of the most basic services are being bypassed and have never been recognised as being necessary services.
1/. Sealed Footpaths and Gutters
Coffs Harbour lacks sealed footpaths and currently people have to risk their lives and that of their children by walking on busy roadsides. Older people, people pushing prams, children and disabled people need sealed footpaths in all areas where they live.
Having to walk on wet, uneven grass and muddy areas is totally unacceptable and is in fact a disgrace in that these services should have been in place many years ago. Both in housing areas and commercial areas but the Coffs Harbour Planning Scheme doesn’t even have footpaths as a compulsorily building requirement.
If necessary the council should impose a special rate levy or borrow to ensure these most basic services are provided. All future building programs should also have these non-negotiable standards in place. An ongoing full time footpath building program should be in place immediately no matter what the cost and this should be a priority for the general public.
2/. Our Untidy Town
Coffs Harbour is no doubt one of Australia’s untidiest towns with refuse from take away businesses, supermarkets and bottle shops being the main cause. A special clean up rate should be charged to these businesses for the weekly cleaning of our streets and creeks. Not just the emptying of bins but real outdoor cleaning of our streets and creeks weekly.
Currently our main streets and creeks have been covered in litter for years. Our streets are littered with bottles, broken glass, take away containers and supermarket trolleys all of which end up in our creeks as well. This is the first face of tourism that our visitors see. Banning the sale of small glass drink and liquor bottles would also be a start in the right direction.
3/. Our Outdated Dog Laws
Our Rangers office receives thousands of complaints a year, which is a testimony that our local dog laws simply don’t work. It’s the job of our local council to represent our people and have laws changed as required or to lobby government for these changes.
Currently people can own as many dogs and cats as they please. Obviously if someone owns say five dogs it would be logical that this will become a noise problem for other residents. But the local dog barking laws are simply so outdated that stopping these problems is a never-ending task. The laws are outdated and should be bought in line with other more progressive states.
4/. For Future Tourism Consideration
Coffs Harbour is a poorly planned town that is composed of ad hock building development and poor planning decisions.
Any visitors to this town can clearly see this and because of this Coffs Harbour is not at its peak in regards to being a tourism destination.
The first and most basic area to look at is bringing people to this town and then showing them what we have. Currently these services are barely in place.
Use your tourism levies to do this.
First consideration. Rebuild a new railway station on the left hand side of the railway gates near the jetty. This to incorporate a larger visitors centre that also takes accommodation bookings for the whole area. Incorporate bicycle rental, motor bike tours, whale tours, carriage rides into town and back. Accommodation businesses just pay a small fee per booking as a commission to pay for the central booking service.
The new railway station to incorporate a huge car park area and a sealed area for regular markets say four days per week. This would be part of a tourism draw card and provide a much needed employment incentive for the area. This would take up that current whole grassed section opposite the roundabout.
Then have a free bus/s ( Colourful Double Decker preferred ) that would do a stop circuit of all the shopping areas around the town. From the new railway station up to the Harbour drive stores and then over to Park Beach Plaza Complex and Homebase and then back to the station.
Then to organize a train up and back two days per week to Kempsy. And two days per week up and back to Grafton. All travel days to coincide with the four-day market.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are suggested. These sizable towns give a two way tourism traffic option not only to Coffs Harbour but also to these other towns.
It would be suggested that these other towns take place in the mutual train benefit plan. Both these towns are within a realistic travel time each way.
The existing old railway station and area could best be used as a transit delivery port for our region again providing more employment opportunities. It could also be the best place to store a tourist train for the region. There are so many other options to mention but this is just a bit to consider for now.
Comment by picman2 — August 5, 2009 @ 12:28 pm