HISTORY was made this week when Kiama Council’s inaugural tourism manager started work.
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On Monday, Lisa Evans, who has previously worked at Port Stephens, Shellharbour and Wingecarribee councils, as well as a group of councils in the Riverina, began her role as the council’s first tourism manager.
Since 1986, the council has passed on tourism-related funds to Kiama Tourism, a not-for-profit organisation and stand-alone legal entity.
Kiama councillors recently endorsed a memorandum of understanding with Kiama Tourism.
In September, the council voted to appoint its own tourism manager to promote the Kiama municipality.
The move followed a review of how the council spent its tourism funds, sparked by concerns regarding continuing problems the Kiama Tourism board appeared to be having.
This eventually led to the council stripping $157,000 in funds from Kiama Tourism.
The council still allocates about $160,000 to Kiama Tourism, but the redirected money has been put towards a $200,000 budget to fund a tourism manager and to market and promote tourism in the municipality.
A major part of Ms Evans’s role role
will be working with state and federal bodies to seek funding opportunities.
“I think it’s time for the funding to come this way,” she said.
While aware of recent conflict between the council and Kiama Tourism, Ms Evans said she was approaching the new role with no preconceptions.
“I think what Kiama Tourism have been doing is fantastic; I see my role as more of a strategic one,” she said.
“I was aware there were some issues, but I’m just here to take it forward now.
“I hope everyone joins with me in taking it forward… We all want the same thing; have the same goal, which is what’s best for the area.
“It’s just a matter of making that happen.”
Ms Evans said she saw plenty of potential within the municipality’s tourism industry, including in areas such as ecotourism.
“I think there’s a lot more than just the beaches, beautiful as they are,” she said.
“It’s about promoting the area, and bringing money into the area to make it sustainable.”
Ms Evans said she had been holidaying in Kiama for many years.
Kiama Tourism chair Brian Longbottom said the memorandum of understanding was yet to be finalised, as they were still seeking clarification on a few matters.
Mr Longbottom said membership was strong.
‘‘The summer’s looking enormously strong... Kiama is pretty much booked out,’’ he laughed.