Randwick City Tourism Inc.

ABN 95631294423

President’s Report 2016

Randwick City Tourism Inc. (RCT) is an association established in 1990, managed by an executive committee of volunteers with support from Randwick City Council.

Our objectives are to: encourage residents of Randwick to appreciate the benefits of the visitor economy; provide a cohesive & unified focus for Council & local business; encourage sustainable tourism development; coordinate promotion of key destinations and activities; represent Randwick’s tourism interest to State and Federal governments & within the tourism sector; advise Council on tourism policy.

Executive Members: Council Representative: Cr Brendan Roberts General Manager’s Representative: Suzanne Williamson Founding Members: Terry McGuinness and Peter Smith Chamber Representatives: Janet Alexander (Randwick and The Spot); Catherine Potter (Malabar) UTS Business Tourism: Dr David Beirman La Perouse Coastcare/Bikes : Lynda Newnam Coogee Lions/Arden House: David Morgan Tourism Operator Let’s Go Surfing: Brenda Miley TAFE NSW: Linda Perris Gordon’s Bay Scuba Club: Jann Barry Randwick Farmer’s Market: Maria Stranieri Heritage Conservation: Dr Bronwyn Kelly

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(Crisis Tourism Forum held 17th June at Prince Henry)

The RCT committee had another busy year attending events, supporting Council’s work on the Coastal Walk and assisting in the organisation of the major forum on Crisis Tourism. We have also done the preliminary work required for the changeover to Eastern Beaches Tourism with a draft revision of the Constitution, procurement of various domains and early work on rebranding.

Council’s Economic Development Officer, Suzanne Williamson, continued to provide excellent support and we have a good working relationship with other Council staff and Councillors, particularly the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

While still awaiting the announcement on amalgamations we are hopeful of remaining in position to continue supporting major projects such as the Greeters Program; Coastal Walk; Whale Watching Platform; Gordon’s Bay Scuba Club Wreck Project; Improved Access; Sister Cities and Sustainable Tourism. (Mayor Noel D’Souza with Deputy Mayor who is also the representative on RCT, Brendan Roberts)

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(Councillors after final election of Mayor of Randwick, September 2016)

(Presentation at the Randwick Art Society annual exhibition)

RCT was represented at a number of events including the Bondi Chamber Afternoon Tea with the NSW Treasurer; Mayor’s Lunch with managers of major destinations; Crisis Tourism Breakfast Forum; Minister for Tourism breakfast at Parliament House; Working Committee for the Dive Wreck; CEO Sydney Airport (Tea with the NSW Treasurer)

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talk at Parliament House on Chinese Tourism; Jewish Board of Deputies Community Dinner; Spot & Randwick Chamber networking event, and Waverley Business Forums. Meetings were also conducted with senior council staff, state government agencies, and local MP to discuss alignment with key objectives and future planning around the Coastal Walk, projects such as Whale Watching Platform and Greeters, Communications, and potential changes associated with Council amalgamations.

(CEO Sydney Airport, Kerrie Mather at Parliament House presenting on Chinese Tourism)

(Ecoliving Stall 4/9/16) (Spot Festival Stall 6/3/16)

(Opening of the First Fleeters Memorial by Minister for Heritage, Mark Speakman, at Memorial Park)

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(Tribal Warrior and local Aboriginal identity Vic Simms at La Perouse Loop)

(Presentation to Eastern Beaches Command from Matraville Chamber and Precinct. RCT is represented on the Community Liaison Committee and continues to have a good working relationship with Commanders. The previous commander Gavin Dengate presented at the Crisis Tourism Forum and the incoming commander, Karen McCarthy attended the October meeting of RCT)

The Sydney for Sydney Dive Wreck proposal from Gordon’s Bay Scuba Group has support from state and federal MPs including Bruce Notley-Smith who set up a working group.

(L: Working Group for the Dive Wreck; Below: Sam Baxter and John Rowe with Bruce Notley-Smith at meeting with Federal Defence Minister Marise Payne)

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(Randwick named Sydney’s (including Central and South Coast and Blue Mountains) Sustainable Council at Keep NSW Beautiful Awards)

(Update on the National Parks Malabar Headland walkway arranged for RCT by ranger Chad Weston)

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(National Parks staff consulting with community on the Malabar Headland Coastal Walk at Maroubra Beach)

(L: Consultation on the Kurnell-La Perouse Ferry)

(Below: Damage from storms in June just before the Crisis Tourism Forum.)

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Opening of Centennial Park Cycles in Centennial Park – Centennial Park Cycles are a long standing member of RCT

Epiphany Celebrations at Yarra Bay draw large crowds every year.

Waverley held two very successful Business Forums with Mayor Sally Betts.

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(Six of the best snorkelling spots were identified in the Sydney Morning Herald – with four in Randwick: Clovelly, Little Bay, Gordon’s Bay and Bare Island)

Meetings: 6 were held during the year 7/12/15; 1/2/16; 4/4/16/ 6/6/16; 1/8/16; 10/10/16

Committees:

Represented on Police Community Liaison Committee, Sydney Water Malabar Treatment Plant Committee, National Parks Regional Advisory Committee; Sydney Dive Wreck Working Party.

Submissions: Coastal Reforms, Ferry Proposal Kurnell to La Perouse, Support for Bondi Beach Surfing; Container Deposit Scheme; Council Amalgamations; Upgrade of Malabar Boat Ramp; TfNSW for Access consistent with recent legislation.

Communication:

Website 112 pages – on hold until rebranding after amalgamation. Twitter following 71. Facebook following 313. Highest reach - over 150 - on following items: Loss of artwork Sculptures by the Sea 340; Consultation on Boat Ramp at Malabar 342; Consultation on La Perouse ferry 184; Waverley Forum 181; Randwick and Spot Chambers Networking 156; Beach Breaks Carnival 298; Presentation to Eastern Beaches Command from Matraville Chamber and Precinct 1,376; Crisis Forum 160; Landslip at Waverley Cemetery 163; Support for Dive Wreck 187; Where visitors are taking photos in Sydney 157; Malabar Headland Walk 190; Dive Wreck compared with Adelaide 1,438; Coastal Walk expansion 283; 6 of the best snorkelling spots 1,360.

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Organisations in the RCT Network

Activities

Lets Go Surfing Maroubra

Snorkel Safari Matraville

Centennial Park Cycles Randwick

Gordons Bay Scuba Diving Club Gordons Bay

Pro Dive Coogee Coogee

Bare Island La Perouse

Special Deals

Loocl

Entertainment & Markets

Royal Kensington

Randwick Farmers Market Randwick

Parklands & National Park

Kamay Botany Bay National Park La Perouse

Malabar Headland National Park Malabar

Centennial Parklands Randwick

Good Eats

Barzura Ristorante Coogee

Driftwood La Perouse

Paris Seafood Cafe La Perouse

Museums & Heritage

Captain Cook Society

Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Matraville

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La Perouse Museum La Perouse

Accommodation

Arden House Coogee

The Dive Hotel Coogee

Royal Hotel Randwick

Crowne Plaza Coogee

Institutions

Randwick College TAFE Randwick

The University of Kensington

Randwick City Council Randwick

Associations

Bikes Botany Bay

Coogee Lions

Eastern Suburbs Business Enterprise Centre

International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT)

La Perouse Coastcare

Maroubra Chamber of Commerce

Matraville Chamber of Commerce

The Spot Business Association

Lynda Newnam

11th November 2016

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