Tourism in Central NSW

 

Central NSW is rich with natural and cultural heritage.  From the Jenolan Caves in Oberon through to Lake Cargelligo in Lachlan the region abounds with nationally significant natural heritage.

Events are a growing segment of the region’s product offering.  These range from internationally significant events with big attendances and corollary spends like motor racing at Mount Panorama Bathurst and Elvis in Parkes through to wine and food events in Orange and surrounds.

Agritourism, gardening events and sporting events are attracting a wide target audience.

Where the opportunities abound, the region is experiencing change with regard to tourism.  The State funding and structural arrangements have changed and Central NSW Tourism Inc has handed the baton for regional tourism support to Central NSW Joint Organisation.  The Central NSW Joint Organisation Board continues to support member Councils as they grow the visitor economy.

There is a wealth of information on the Visit Central NSW website that will help visitors plan their trip to the region and where to visit along the way.  There is so much richness and diversity in the regions of Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon Orange, Parkes and Weddin, visit the website here:  www.visitcentralnsw.com.au

 

Regional Growth

 

Our communities have told us they want Central NSW to be a vibrant, growing and welcoming place of seasonal landscapes that is recognised in the nation for its agricultural heart. Accordingly, this region seeks to be recognised as one of the 7 top contributors to National Gross Regional Product. (Infrastructure Australia 2015) 

To achieve this the voices of this region need to be heard, investment in the region needs to optimised and decision making needs to be more localised. 

This region works with the State and other key stakeholders on plans and strategies to ensure it has the freight links, water supply, broadband capability, social structures and services, access to skills and the like, to sustain and grow our economy. Key to this work is implementation.  

The JO enables this work through the Regional Prosperity Sub-Committee, and the Memorandum of Understanding with RDA Central West to ensure we are working as efficiently and effectively as possible on the priorities of the region. 

 

Visitor Economy Strategy

 

The region invested in a refresh of its approach to tourism service delivered regionally.  Central NSW Joint Organisation worked collaboratively with The University of Newcastle to deliver this work and critically, the Strategy seeks to leverage the role of the Joint Organisation, that being:

  • Advocacy and leadership
  • Intergovernmental cooperation
  • Planning and Prioritisation

Please click here to access the CNSWJO Visitor Economy Strategy 2021-2026

 

Planning

 

Across the region our memberwork collaboratively and have key relationship with DPIE Western RegionIt continues to provide support for activities from the Central West and Orana Regional Plan where this JO were given a great opportunity to input to the Plan. This led to the development of the Central West Food and Fibre Strategy and Local Strategic Planning Statements (LSPS).

They are a pivotal tool for local strategic planning in NSWdrawing together and summarising planning priorities identified through State, Regional and Local Strategic work.