Message from the Chair

Last Thursday, Destination Sydney Surrounds South (DSSS) hosted a meeting with the Hon. Adam Marshall – Minister for Tourism and Major Events during his visit to attend the Community Cabinet Session in Ulladulla. Local stakeholders were given the opportunity to network and meet one-on-one with the Minister to discuss priority opportunities and challenges being faced in the region.

Hon. Adam Marshall, Minister for Tourism & Major Events who met with local stakeholders at Cupitt’s Winery on Thursday.

In a busy week for the Minister, the next day he launched the NSW Food & Wine Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2018 – 2022 in Griffith. The plan is designed to provide the food and wine sector as well as the broader tourism industry with an overview of Destination NSW’s plans to further support and develop food and wine tourism in this State. With significant potential for high yield growth, food and wine tourism was identified as a priority sector in the recently released Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan 2030 (VEIAP). Incorporating a vision for Sydney and Regional NSW, the new strategy will be delivered over a four-year period in collaborative partnership between Destination NSW and industry stakeholders including, Federal, State and Local Government, regional Destination Networks, industry associations and local tourism agencies.

DSSS is continuing to engage and represent our region in a number of initiatives and projects, including working closely with Destination NSW for the development of the NSW State-wide Destination Management Plan, delivery of the Drive Tourism campaign and partner with the Regional Conferencing Unit to support business events and conferencing in our region.

Other collaborative partnerships include working with NSW Department of Industry to deliver key actions from the VEIAP, including development of the NSW Nature Based Tourism Strategy, NSW Tourism Infrastructure Strategy and the Visitor Economy Index.

DSSS were engaged in a project led by NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet in collaboration with National Parks and Wildlife Services, and Wollongong City Council to develop the recently released draft Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Strategy. DSSS also partnered with Wollongong City Council to develop the draft Mt Keira Summit Park Plan, both plans are currently on public exhibition and submissions are encouraged by Monday 10 December. 

Other key issues that are the focus on the DSSS agenda include:

• ‘Whole of Government’ approach to drive the visitor economy
• Collaboration and unification of stakeholder programs to ensure maximum benefit for the tourism dollar
• Cross border programs that harmonise with our visitor itineraries
• Addressing the many regional issues such as; the drought and tourism, staff skilling and pathways to graduate status, dispersal of FITs to our region from major cities Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra

DSSS endeavours to continue our collaboration with stakeholders. ‘Have your say’ by contacting us through our website or via email at: [email protected].

May I take this opportunity, as we prepare for our traditional influx of holiday visitors, to wish you all a healthy and prosperous festive season.

Colin Waller
Chair, Destination Sydney Surrounds South

• Infrastructure Projects Stream – to support projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provides economic and social benefit to regional and remote areas.
• Community Investment Stream – for new or expanded events, strategic regional plans or leadership and capacity strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

• Biota Dining, Bowral (Two Hats)
• Caveau, Wollongong (One Hat)
• St Isidore, Milton (One Hat)

• Burrawang General Store – Café Dining and NSW Regional Café of the Year 
• Kohli’s Indian Restaurant, Nowra – Indian/Sub-Continent Restaurant
  (National Bronze Medal Winner)
• Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant, Wollongong – Formal Seafood Restaurant
  (National Gold Medal Winner)
• Bannister’s by the Sea Pool Bar, Mollymook – Small Bar

• Uncle Joe’s Brew – Excellence in Retail & Hospitality
• Symbio Wildlife Park – Excellence in Sustainability
• Cupitt’s Winery – Excellence in Tourism
• Corrimal Chamber of Commerce – Local Chamber of Commerce
• Breakout Bar & Escape Rooms – Wollongong City Centre Business of Excellence