Inverell on Display

Hansard & Papers " Legislative Assembly " 23 October 2007 " Full Day Hansard Transcript " Item 32 of 40 "
Inverell on Display
About this Item
Speakers - Torbay Mr Richard; Whan Mr Steve
Business - Private Members Statements, PRIV

INVERELL ON DISPLAY
Page: 3112

Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands-Speaker) [6.13 p.m.]: Country towns are often reproached because they do not promote themselves well enough. The story is regularly told that people visit a town, discover so many gems and have such a good time they wonder why they have not heard about it before. Today I draw the attention of the House to a town in the Northern Tablelands that has taken the initiative most successfully and is strutting its stuff to great effect. I have attended Inverell on Display for two years in a row and I have been impressed by the keen involvement of the whole community in this project, which is part of the Growing Inverell Program. Its success depends on a remarkably active committee, strong community support and an overall enthusiasm about the town and district, which permeates all the activities.

In April this year Inverell on Display attracted more than 6,000 visitors from Western Australia, Queensland, Sydney, Newcastle, many New South Wales coastal towns and cities and the north-west New England region. It was voted a big success. One exhibitor came away with three foolscap pages of orders and leads, and the reports from the 100 sites were very positive, with most extolling the benefits of what was described as "wonderful exposure". Visitors were exposed to free-range pork from Melanda Park, locally grown olives and products from Lorakeet Olives, Gywdir Olives and Olives of Beaulieu, as well as local wines and other products. Besides the immediate success, the organisers recognise that the full long-term benefits of the project will come as consumers become more aware of these local products, more investors are exposed to the potential of the town and more visitors appreciate and spread the word about the local attractions and hospitality.

The venture had its beginnings in 2003 when the Department of State and Regional Development, to its credit, provided dollar-for-dollar funding with Inverell Shire Council for the Growing Inverell Program. A series of public workshops was held in which ideas were put forward from community members about the best way to promote the town. From these workshops a community strategic plan was developed, with Inverell on Display nominated as one of the key projects.

The next step was putting together a dynamic management committee, which includes Councillor Dianna Baker as Chair, Mayor Barry Johnston, Councillor Peter Lloyd, Growing Inverell co-ordinator, the very dynamic Carol South, John Scoble, Greg Kachel, Wendy Heagney, Kate Black, and Fiona Brown. Full credit goes to them for their energy and enthusiasm, and for the success of this project. They decided the event should be a business expo to showcase the region's industrial, agricultural, retail and commercial products. It would also include business exhibits, high-profile personalities and local entertainment, all with the aim of stimulating and promoting business and industry, more jobs and local tourism.

Inverell has a strong manufacturing base, and a growing food and wine industry, which has gradually been building up its distance marketing capabilities and, as a result, has customers throughout the country and internationally. These products were a highlight of the event. Organisers found that the economic benefits of Inverell on Display were immediate through sales of display products and the number of visitors staying for more than two days in the Inverell area. Long-term economic benefits are also expected through the marketing of the wide range of high-quality regional businesses to the region itself and to areas from southern Queensland to Western Sydney.

Following this year's event, all exhibitors reported increasing their business profiles and having good sales throughout the weekend. Many local businesses became aware of other businesses in town they did not know about, so it provided great opportunities for businesses to network amongst themselves. Most businesses reported having spoken to visitors to Inverell about their products and services. Food and wine exhibitors reported making excellent sales through orders, with both wineries making valuable business contacts outside the region. The olive industry also reported making valuable contacts throughout the region and beyond.

The Inverell Visitors Centre received record numbers of visitors during the weekend. Evaluation forms were circulated to all exhibitors, with a return rate of 95 per cent. All comments about Inverell on Display were very favourable and positive and all who returned evaluation forms were keen to participate in the next event. The key to the success was the strong teamwork and collaborative spirit of the committee working with an enthusiastic local community and having the support of local sponsors. I congratulate Inverell on Display and all who participated in and contributed to it.

Mr STEVE WHAN (Monaro-Parliamentary Secretary) [6.18 p.m.]: I thank the member for Northern Tablelands for bringing to the attention of the House the success of Inverell on Display and I congratulate the organisers of the event. As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development I was very pleased to hear that the Department of State and Regional Development was able to play an early role in helping Inverell put together Inverell on Display. The most important role of State and Regional Development is to provide small bits of funding assistance to help local regional communities to do things they want to do. Its role is not to tell a community what to do but to enhance and build on the ideas of that community. Obviously, the Inverell on Display project has been a great example of that and a testament to the success and commitment of that community in regional development.

Private members' statements noted.