Tourism Advisory Committee

Prior to 1989, tourism in the Great Lakes area was managed by an independent body known as the Great Lakes Tourist Board (Inc.).  The Board subsequently came under the banner of Council during 1989 and consisted of six Councillors and six community representatives.  The Board at that time had delegated authority under Section 530A of the Local Government Act, 1919 to oversee the tourism function with the budget allocated by Council.

A major review of the operation of the Committee was undertaken during 1994 at which time it was renamed ‘Great Lakes Tourism’.  Following on from the introduction of the new Local Government Act in 1993, the new Committee was delegated its authority under Section 377 of the Act to manage tourism in the Great Lakes area in accordance with the budget allocation.

Further reviews were conducted in May 2005 and April 2006 during which the Committee’s missions statement and objectives were updated, Committee membership amended and meeting frequency and format changed.

Mission Statement “To advise Council in the formulation of policy, plans and strategies for the management and development of Tourism in the Great Lakes Council area in accordance with Council’s policies and budgets.”

Objectives

·          To identify and report to Council on current and emerging tourism issues facing the Great Lakes Region.

·          To make recommendations to Council on tourism strategies and revisions to existing strategies as circumstances change.

·          To assist the Great Lakes Manager Tourism & Marketing in the implementation of the Great Lakes Tourism plan.

·          To provide an active link between Great Lakes Council and the Tourism industry.

·          To promote Council’s Tourism efforts and initiatives.

Role and Responsibilities

·          The primary role of the Great Lakes Tourism Advisory Committee (GLTAC), as a Section 355 Committee of Council, is to advise and report to Council on all matters concerning tourism within the Great Lakes area and regionally within the mid north coast.

·          Specifically it is the role of GLTAC to contribute to the management and implementation of the Great Lakes Tourism Strategy and Council’s ongoing role in the development and management of Great Lakes Tourism

Membership

·          Council elect members of the GLTAC, and these members (or the organisation endorsing them) must belong to the Great Lakes Tourism Partnership Program.

·          The Committee to consist of four (4) Great Lakes Councillors and eight (8) industry representatives, ensuring adequate geographic and industry representation.

·          One (1) representative from Great Lakes on the Regional Tourism Board to be an ex officio member of the GLTAC.

·          Should a committee member not attend three meetings in succession without providing a suitable explanation, then their position on the Committee will be declared vacant.

·          Great Lakes Tourism Partnership Program organisations may endorse representatives of their choice, however if that member resigns from the Committee, new applications shall be called.

·          An individual appointed to the GLTAC shall continue as a member of the Committee for a period of four years.  Half of the GLTAC membership to be rotated every four years to ensure continuity and corporate knowledge.

Meetings The GLTAC will normally meet on the first Monday of every second month commencing in February. The venue and timing for these meetings to be determined at each prior meeting however in each calendar year a meeting to be held in Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah and Stroud (where practical).

Current members of the Committee are -