Agritourism Development Plan
Cootamundra-Gundagai, NSW
The Cootamundra-Gundagai region lies two hours west of Canberra, halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. The region has a strong agricultural base of cattle, sheep, crops and vineyards, combined with attractive rural landscapes and distinct seasons.
Project purpose
The purpose of the plan was to identify priority projects to guide Council’s and industry’s activities and investments to leverage the opportunity of agritourism.
This project was made possible with funding provided by the NSW Bushfire Community Resilience & Economic Recovery Fund to support community and economic recovery following bushfires.
Project overview
A review and analysis of the region’s tourism and agricultural products, and of regional, state and national agritourism reports and strategic plans, revealed a number of gaps or opportunities for development.
Seven new agritourism products and experiences were recommended to help the region realise its potential as an agritourism destination, including a regional food hub at the Dog on the Tuckerbox tourist attraction, farm stays, redevelopment of an old mill, and spring and autumn harvest festivals.
A number of priority projects were identified to be implemented over the life of the plan to fulfill the plan’s objectives.
The implementation of the plan will take place in two phases:
Phase 1: Establish Foundations
Build awareness and appeal of the region’s existing agritourism product through marketing and experience development
Improve Council’s planning process and local environment plan (LEP) to be more supportive of new agritourism businesses
Work with partners to develop and implement an agritourism business development program that helps producers develop agritourism offerings
Phase 2: Ongoing development
Proactively attract investment into agritourism and support new product development
The plan provides a framework to guide development, with a focus on on-farm diversification to support sustainability and resilience.
It clarifies responsibilities, identifies critical success factors and measures of success, and identifies funding opportunities for projects.
Project outcomes
Council has used the plan to secure funding to
develop and implement an agritourism development coaching program to increase agritourism offerings and finesse existing ones
deliver an agritourism marketing campaign including capturing new content, developing a new brand, and improving the destination’s websites.
Council has engaged consultants to develop a plan for its old mill as a new anchor tourism attraction.
Referee
Miriam Crane
Manager Community and Culture
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
PO Box 420, Cootamundra NSW 2590
1300 459 689
miriam.crane@cgrc.nsw.gov.au
www.cgrc.nsw.gov.au
