York- A Tourism aptitude for a new beginning?
York has a relatively new council and a brand new administration with a Major Strategic Plan that should be the precursor to future success.
Given this-the Shire of York Administration should now revisit and reflect upon parts of the official mantra emblazoned on its Website and ensure, in future, it is the truth, not platitudes and self- aggrandisement.
‘A place to visit’ is certainly something to reflect upon given current circumstance with tourist numbers in free fall! Dull, boring, nothing open and nothing to do is the general consensus critique from those who do visit.
‘A place of vibrancy and energy’ is something that the new administration has to prove it can return the community to!
‘A place of growth and local business opportunity’ is a bold statement requiring extensive administrative cathartic re-evaluation given the potentially massive real value write-down of Shire of York assets including local roads and massively over- valued community property investments.
It could take some time for the Major Strategic Plan to be proven to be the panacea.
The Shire should invest at least $1 million, per annum, in road restoration alone. It is financial resources it has not got and this could seriously impinge on the Shire’s ability to promote growth and new business development.
The Shire of York’s annual gross revenue is in the vicinity of $9 million. WA Tourism claims that it is currently a $9.3 billion, per annum, industry which may be the town’s single economic development saviour.
If York could attract the equivalent of 3 % of Perth’s population to spend 2 nights in the town, the potential gross revenue, direct input to the community should be around $20 million.
If promoted correctly York has the historic significance and architectural ambiance to re-vitalize itself as a tourist attraction in the short term.
Given reputable financial analysts are suggesting that the WA economy is close to recession, the economic growth and development of any other form of new business in York is to put it bluntly-highly unlikely- up to ‘not happening’.
The Shire of York has been renowned for its incompetence and arrogant and aggressive, sometimes totally illegal, pursuit of a number of successful tourism businesses in the community for various reasons which are mostly incomprehensible and mainly personal revenge driven.
This, arguably, includes the current regime which recently pursued a highly respected local business for allegedly creating excessive noise levels in breach the Environmental Protection Act. It appears that a little night music and wedding party frivolity does not soothe several savage beasts that live nearby.
Luckily for York, the new Chief-Executive-Officer intervened preventing a farcical situation that could have led the media to destroy any credibility York still has as an increasingly popular venue for society weddings.
The Shire of York administration senior staff members still include a Planning Officer whose main role appears to be to try and prevent the building of massive, metal, rural barns, usually restricted to farming properties, on domestic blocks within the boundaries of a famous historic town-site.
York has a relatively new council and a brand new administration with a Major Strategic Plan that should be the precursor to future success.
Given this-the Shire of York Administration should now revisit and reflect upon parts of the official mantra emblazoned on its Website and ensure, in future, it is the truth, not platitudes and self- aggrandisement.
‘A place to visit’ is certainly something to reflect upon given current circumstance with tourist numbers in free fall! Dull, boring, nothing open and nothing to do is the general consensus critique from those who do visit.
‘A place of vibrancy and energy’ is something that the new administration has to prove it can return the community to!
‘A place of growth and local business opportunity’ is a bold statement requiring extensive administrative cathartic re-evaluation given the potentially massive real value write-down of Shire of York assets including local roads and massively over- valued community property investments.
It could take some time for the Major Strategic Plan to be proven to be the panacea.
The Shire should invest at least $1 million, per annum, in road restoration alone. It is financial resources it has not got and this could seriously impinge on the Shire’s ability to promote growth and new business development.
The Shire of York’s annual gross revenue is in the vicinity of $9 million. WA Tourism claims that it is currently a $9.3 billion, per annum, industry which may be the town’s single economic development saviour.
If York could attract the equivalent of 3 % of Perth’s population to spend 2 nights in the town, the potential gross revenue, direct input to the community should be around $20 million.
If promoted correctly York has the historic significance and architectural ambiance to re-vitalize itself as a tourist attraction in the short term.
Given reputable financial analysts are suggesting that the WA economy is close to recession, the economic growth and development of any other form of new business in York is to put it bluntly-highly unlikely- up to ‘not happening’.
The Shire of York has been renowned for its incompetence and arrogant and aggressive, sometimes totally illegal, pursuit of a number of successful tourism businesses in the community for various reasons which are mostly incomprehensible and mainly personal revenge driven.
This, arguably, includes the current regime which recently pursued a highly respected local business for allegedly creating excessive noise levels in breach the Environmental Protection Act. It appears that a little night music and wedding party frivolity does not soothe several savage beasts that live nearby.
Luckily for York, the new Chief-Executive-Officer intervened preventing a farcical situation that could have led the media to destroy any credibility York still has as an increasingly popular venue for society weddings.
The Shire of York administration senior staff members still include a Planning Officer whose main role appears to be to try and prevent the building of massive, metal, rural barns, usually restricted to farming properties, on domestic blocks within the boundaries of a famous historic town-site.
It
is a thankless employment task because local planning policy is considered by a
number of current Councillors to be some sort of non-specific, easily ignored
guideline only.
Then there is the Environmental Health Officer who, when strolling down Avon Terrace, walks within 10-metres of a 2 metre high wall of a hundred or more decomposing tyres and numerous rustic, rusting car bodies which are usually confined to industrial areas- not situated just off the main thoroughfare of a beautiful, iconic old town.
It could be described by some as a safe haven for local fauna. In particular, mice, rats, dugites and the occasional tiger snake.
A better description would be an environmentally unfriendly pile of rotting rubber and rusty metal
located uncomfortably close to the front door of the York Tourism Visitor’s Centre that could see
the Shire of York Administration itself in breach of The Environmental Protection Act. In 2014 the
Shire’s Chief Executive Officer was warned of this, but chose to do very little about it.
Of real importance is the Manager of Works and Services- but only when these works and services, including road maintenance, are delivered on time, within budget and to approved Australian standards. This is where the $1 million per annum, that the Shire of York does not have, comes in.
Maybe these three employees suffer from the systemic problem of policies becoming guidelines then guidelines becoming policies.
Amid all the job descriptions of the new upper management echelon, among the myriad managerial responsibilities and protocol clichés, the word Tourism is never mentioned as a potential economic driver. In fact it is not mentioned at all.
There are those who look after human resources, the YRCC, the swimming pool, occupational health and safety, capital works, information technology, customer service, planning, environmental health and works and services. The last three must be considered super important as there are designated officers already in these roles.
The only new role that could be associated with anything like tourism promotion is the Community and Economic Development Officer.
Tourism means cafes, restaurants, bars, accommodation, entertainment, extreme sports, clothing and memorabilia sales, along with books and antiques. If it is listed as a saleable service or commodity a tourist is often in the mood to try it and buy it.
York’s status within the Western Australian community should mean it has a dedicated Tourism Promotions Officer, with a licence to vigorously promote and market the town to its best advantage, in consultation with its tourism operators and in close collaboration with the major tourism agencies.
The Shire of York itself can no longer pay just lip service to tourism.
Since the York Tourist Bureau Inc. stealing debacle of 2008-2009, based on its funding levels received from the Shire of York at that time, over $600,000 in municipal funding has been withheld from where it could best be utilized. That is the promotion, marketing and selling of unique York, by the Shire of York for the betterment of the York Community.
So far the only new employees directly linked to the tourism industry are two Information Officers, who will man the coal-face, the York Tourism Visitors Centre. They will be the face of York and its conduit to the hearts, minds and wallets of visitors to York. For this both will receive less than the Australian Basic Wage per annum.
How is York going to be competitive in a multi-billion dollar industry when this is the best it can do?
However, when you start to closely analyse the new Shire of York Administration’s Senior Management Structure there is at least one door left slightly ajar. It is the door of the Chief Executive Officer who may well be in total charge of what could be York’s tourism renaissance.
David Taylor.
Then there is the Environmental Health Officer who, when strolling down Avon Terrace, walks within 10-metres of a 2 metre high wall of a hundred or more decomposing tyres and numerous rustic, rusting car bodies which are usually confined to industrial areas- not situated just off the main thoroughfare of a beautiful, iconic old town.
It could be described by some as a safe haven for local fauna. In particular, mice, rats, dugites and the occasional tiger snake.
A better description would be an environmentally unfriendly pile of rotting rubber and rusty metal
located uncomfortably close to the front door of the York Tourism Visitor’s Centre that could see
the Shire of York Administration itself in breach of The Environmental Protection Act. In 2014 the
Shire’s Chief Executive Officer was warned of this, but chose to do very little about it.
Of real importance is the Manager of Works and Services- but only when these works and services, including road maintenance, are delivered on time, within budget and to approved Australian standards. This is where the $1 million per annum, that the Shire of York does not have, comes in.
Maybe these three employees suffer from the systemic problem of policies becoming guidelines then guidelines becoming policies.
Amid all the job descriptions of the new upper management echelon, among the myriad managerial responsibilities and protocol clichés, the word Tourism is never mentioned as a potential economic driver. In fact it is not mentioned at all.
There are those who look after human resources, the YRCC, the swimming pool, occupational health and safety, capital works, information technology, customer service, planning, environmental health and works and services. The last three must be considered super important as there are designated officers already in these roles.
The only new role that could be associated with anything like tourism promotion is the Community and Economic Development Officer.
Tourism means cafes, restaurants, bars, accommodation, entertainment, extreme sports, clothing and memorabilia sales, along with books and antiques. If it is listed as a saleable service or commodity a tourist is often in the mood to try it and buy it.
York’s status within the Western Australian community should mean it has a dedicated Tourism Promotions Officer, with a licence to vigorously promote and market the town to its best advantage, in consultation with its tourism operators and in close collaboration with the major tourism agencies.
The Shire of York itself can no longer pay just lip service to tourism.
Since the York Tourist Bureau Inc. stealing debacle of 2008-2009, based on its funding levels received from the Shire of York at that time, over $600,000 in municipal funding has been withheld from where it could best be utilized. That is the promotion, marketing and selling of unique York, by the Shire of York for the betterment of the York Community.
So far the only new employees directly linked to the tourism industry are two Information Officers, who will man the coal-face, the York Tourism Visitors Centre. They will be the face of York and its conduit to the hearts, minds and wallets of visitors to York. For this both will receive less than the Australian Basic Wage per annum.
How is York going to be competitive in a multi-billion dollar industry when this is the best it can do?
However, when you start to closely analyse the new Shire of York Administration’s Senior Management Structure there is at least one door left slightly ajar. It is the door of the Chief Executive Officer who may well be in total charge of what could be York’s tourism renaissance.
Retail shopping,cafe's and simply looking at old buildings are not tourism experiences. The tourism experiences we do have are part time or sporadic with the exception of skydiving.
ReplyDeleteUntil we attract serious tourism operators to York we're unlikely to attract serious tourism visitor numbers.
We are unlikely to attract tourism business investment whilst an inconsistent approach to planning and approvals continue, whilst rates are more expensive than Perth and whilst morons like Boyle and Watts run what we do have into the ground i.e. the race club.
Tourism WA say that York's day tripper should be returning 3 times a year. Also, unlikely with nothing to do, general untidiness etc.
Bill, I've heard some rumours about the activities of the York Race Club, apparently there have been no AGM's, grant money has been handed over for works but the works have not been done but the funds have gone somewhere, probably in someones pocket.The York cup has gone too Kalgoorlie, Rob Cameron has a dubious catering contract a bit like Nick Russo at the YRCC, it just goes on and on and on!
ReplyDelete$2M from Nationals couldn't save them. They're another disfunctional Committee.Tony Boyle, Michael Watts and Rob Cameron are involved. Need I say more? What a terrible shame.
DeleteSpeaking of shame, Tony have you none? You should resign and stick to farming you silly old fool. There's only one way you run a committee and that's straight into the ground.