Tourism News

Tourism NSW hits the road
Tourism New South Wales will meet with local councils across the State starting today to discuss plans for building the tourism industry, which generated $8.3 billion for regional NSW last financial year.

Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay said the meetings were an opportunity to provide details of the Rees Government’s new Tourism Strategy, developed in partnership with industry to reinvigorate the sector across the State.

“Tourism is vital for the economic prosperity of NSW, especially in regional areas,” Ms McKay said. “The NSW Government has thrown its support behind tourism, with an extra $40 million in funding over three-and-a-half years and a comprehensive new strategy to grow the industry.

“As part of an effort to build stronger partnerships with local councils, representatives of Tourism NSW and Regional Tourism Organisations will visit regional areas to discuss details of the new strategy and how it can help regional tourism.

“Local councils play a critical role in fostering tourism in their areas. It is important they are informed of the latest developments in the industry and the government support available to help grow the existing market.

“It is only through cooperation between local councils, Regional Tourism Organisations and Tourism NSW that regional tourism communities can reach their maximum potential from the Government’s investment of an additional $10.5 million over three years," said Ms McKay.

Ms McKay said that Tourism NSW would meet with more than 140 councils through the partnership briefings, starting with councils in the Snowy Mountains region. “These meetings will provide invaluable input into tourism in regional areas and create an even stronger collaborative approach to building our tourism industry,” Ms McKay said.

“There are a number of Regional Tourism Organisations across NSW that do a great job promoting events and attractions in their area and strengthening the local economy. “The new Tourism Strategy provides a unique opportunity for all levels of government and industry to work together to build a sustainable tourism industry for the State.”

Tourism provides 158,000 jobs in NSW, including 49 per cent in regional areas. For more information on the Tourism Strategy and regional tourism go to www.tourism.nsw.gov.au

Coast wins bid to host the 2010 National Science and Engineering event
The Central Coast has won the bid to host the 2010 Science and Engineering National Grand Challenge.
The Event was created ten years ago here on the Central Coast by the Gosford Rotary Club and the University of Newcastle, to encourage young students to study science and engineering. Since then, this has become an annual event amongst high schools all around Australia who initially compete on the local level and then progress to the national level.

Barry Morris, member of the Gosford Rotary Club is the Chair of the Central Coast Regional Coordinating Committee and a foundation member of the Event. “I am thrilled that we have been successful in winning the bid to host the 10th National Challenge here on the Central Coast in November 2010,” he said.

In 2010, this national event will be extended from two to three days and will bring around 800 young students from all over Australia to the Central Coast to compete in the finals. “With the assistance of Central Coast Tourism, we have been able to produce and submit a very professional bid document, which finally brought us over the line to win the bid,” he said. Nearly all high schools on the Central Coast participate in the Regional Challenge each year in March.

The regional events consist of 25 teams of year 9-10 students from participating schools, with up to seven schools participating each day over two days. The events range from bridge building to building airships and designing power grids for towns. Each team is tested and awarded points – the school with the most points moves onto the next level. There are a total of three levels with the National Grand Challenge being the highest.

The hosting of the 2010 National Grand Challenge will see some 800 students, teachers and parents from around Australia coming to the Central Coast. This Challenge will be held over three days in October at Niagara Park Sports Complex. In 2008, close to 18,000 students, 100 Rotary Clubs, 22 Universities and over 650 schools were involved in the Regional Challenges around Australia.

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