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A round of consultative meetings have been held throughout Walgett Shire to offer the Tourism Strategic Plan 2002-2007 for comment.
Whilst meetings at Collarenebri and Walgett were poorly attended good numbers turned out at Burren Junction and Lightning Ridge.
Those attending were invited to list questions or their concerns for consideration by the panel of councillors and management personnel.
Amongst these were:
Tourist Information Centres: It is expected that any proposed Tourist Information Centre will be combined with a commercial activity.
If ultimately the preferred location is the Opal and Fossil Centre it was suggested attracting interest in the short-term would be difficult.
“Getting it right in Lightning Ridge first is a priority,” said General Manager Vic North. “Walgett, however would most likely happen at the same time.”
There was no budgetary provision for the staffing of these centres.
Asian Investment by Mr Foo: Clarification on the possible $M30 investment in Walgett Shire by Mr Foo was sought by the meeting. Residency for Asians appeared to be the key.
A pledge to invest may be made if the Shire can assist in getting the Asians into Australia.
Mr Foo has recently made the largest single development application yet made to Dubbo.
His $85m application opposite Dubbo Zoo has the support of the community.
He is also looking to establish an international airport at Narromine at his expense.
Mr North believed that the Dubbo and Walgett Shire proposals would be interconnected.
“He is seeking permanent residency for permanent investors,” said Mr North.
Mr North explained that no guarantees of permanent residency could be given by Council, only help with the development applications.
A suggestion that Bourke may be trying to poach the proposal was refuted by mayor, Peter Waterford.
“Mr Foo is looking at many sites throughout rural NSW including Bourke and Broken Hill,” he said.
Mr Foo is expected to be in the area in the next few weeks. Answering a question on what possible effect the development may have on existing
businesses it was explained that Mr Foo would not proceed unless the community was completely comfortable with the proposal.
Lightning Ridge Airstrip: It was first suggested that the strip was long enough but not wide enough. However, a number of instances of Lightning Ridge missing out on tourism dollars were presented, suggesting length was a priority.
The allocation previously made for these works had been reallocated to the Walgett airstrip.
The meeting called for a quote on the necessary improvements to the strip.
funding in next year’s budget plus a percentage of the Road to Recovery funding that may be retrieved.
Council was seeking to get away from the “maintenance mentality” by sealing roads. They urged community groups to maintain their pressure.
Signage: After expending $20,000 on suitable signage the Road and Traffic Authority had withheld permission for these to be erected unless on private land.
Finding appropriate sites is being investigated by councils.
Waste dumps on the mining fields: Changes to the operation of these areas aroused lively comment from the possible tourism losses to the manner in which it had been implemented. Councillor Waterford said that he would vigorously oppose the pending applications received by the Department Mineral Resources.
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