Published on Thursday, 4 March 2021 at 11:33:26 AM
Community engagement for the Shire of Denmark’s Tourism Development Strategy continues with a second round of workshops to be rolled out in Denmark and Nornalup in coming weeks.
Following a successful round of workshops with business operators and strong survey participation rates, the Shire of Denmark and Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence (GSCORE) are looking to gain further insight from the community on tourism.
Lenore Lyons and the GSCORE team are in the early stages of analysing survey responses from business operators and community members.
“We were pleased with the survey participation rates with more than 400 responses,” Dr Lyons said.
“The participation rates in this consultation have been positive so far but that’s not to say we are concluding our engagement with the community; we want to encourage as many people as possible to participate while the strategy is in development.”
A preliminary glance at community survey responses have shown priorities for community members include:
- Protection of the local environment and promotion of Denmark’s unique nature-based assets
- Sustainable, integrated planning
- Promotion of Denmark as a vibrant arts community
- Improved community engagement and consideration of tourism impacts for residents and visitors
- Use of the visitor centre as a community hub to provide education opportunities for residents and visitors
- Consideration of impacts associated with absentee homeowners, i.e. increased rents, difficulties to recruit and retain casual seasonal staff
- More community involvement in how the Visitor Centre might be managed in the future
In addition to in-depth analysis of survey and workshop responses, GSCORE is also conducting workshops with Councillors, direct interviews with key local stakeholders and benchmarking against other local governments in WA and across Australia to inform the direction of the strategy.
Shire of Denmark Acting CEO David Schober said the comprehensive research and consultation going into this strategy development was all about gathering as much information as possible around the community aspirations and expectations for the future of tourism in Denmark.
“We know this is a very important topic for our community so we’re grateful for every response we’ve received so far,” Mr Schober said.
“Even though we have had good levels of response so far, the consultation continues and we are eager for all members of our community to have the chance to give us their thoughts and feedback.
“The upcoming workshops are a great opportunity for community members to have their say but we’re also continuing to take feedback via email, phone and in-person visits at any time.”
COMMUNITY TOURISM WORKSHOPS
Monday 15 March 2021, Nornalup Community Hall 5.30 – 7pm
Wednesday 17 March 2021, Shire of Denmark Reception Room 5.30 – 7pm
Thursday 18 March 2021, Shire of Denmark Reception Room 5.30 – 7pm
Registrations are essential due to COVID19 precautions, please contact Kaysanne Knuckey on 9892 0164 or tourismstrategy@gscore.com.au to secure your place at one of the above workshops.
More information: https://www.yourdenmark.wa.gov.au/join-the-conversation-on-tourism-in-denmark
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