Tricia’s tourism work recognised
The latest winner of Destination Kiama’s Above and Beyond Award is Tricia Ashelford. The Award recognises excellence in tourism in the region, and is awarded quarterly. Destination Kiama says Tricia received multiple nominations for ‘her tireless work for the community, her positivity and her endless enthusiasm for our area’. Known to many for her role as Manager of the Kiama Farmers’ Market, Tricia is also involved in organising and helping with many more events and causes around town. She has a professional background in tourism marketing and events, including a stint at the old Kiama Tourism. “The new tourism structure is so much more productive and cohesive, and I’m enjoying collaborating
with them,” she says. “They recognise the Farmers’ Market as a conduit with the relationships and contacts to gel events together.” As such, the Market has become a focus for the promotion of the area, with Destination NSW recently having a photoshoot there for the Unspoilt campaign. It has also acted as a hub for visitors to our area for events such as the Hull rugby league visit, international surfing competitions and festivals, as well as providing a memorable midweek activity for holidaymakers. Tricia also volunteers her help to many organisations and events, including being an active member of the Kiama Jazz & Blues Club. A born organiser, she takes pleasure in seeing events flourish in Kiama to everyone’s benefit.
Flush with new toilets With money already set aside for the upgrade of the toilet facilities at Kevin Walsh Oval comes the good news that Kiama’s busiest, and worst, toilet facilities are to be modernised. The Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has announced $650,000 in funding under the State Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund for the toilets at the Visitor Information Centre and Kiama Surf Club to be upgraded. Both upgrades are long overdue. “The Visitor Information Centre was built to 1980’s design specifications, which have been outpaced by the growth in visitor numbers, making the current facility ill-suited to visitor profiles and requirements – so I am delighted to have secured funding for this upgrade,” says Mr Ward. “Kiama now exceeds one million visitors annually,
with many converging on the Kiama Harbour area which features the Blowhole, the Lighthouse and the Pilot’s Cottage. “The project aims to upgrade and increase the number of toilet facilities provided. It will transform the Visitor Information Centre into an
inviting meeting point and protected resting space, making it an attractive place for locals to bring their visitors.” A new configuration of the toilets will provide easier and extended hours of access, and is expected to increase attendance at the café and the Centre. The number
Revised TOP approved The Kiama Tourism Opportunity Plan (TOP) was reendorsed at Kiama Council’s September meeting, following clarifications and corrections being made. Given the furore over the possible redevelopment of the cabin area on Blowhole Point, it is worth noting these include changing the wording from ‘Development of a new signature tourism experience for Kiama in the location current occupied by
the cabins’ to ‘Development of a new signature tourism experience for Kiama in the vicinity of the sites currently occupied by the cabins’. It also has changed ‘Preparation of a master plan for the harbour/headland area’ to ‘Preparation of a master plan for the harbour/headland area - engaging with communities and stakeholders to determine a planned solution which balances economic, social and environmental
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objectives.’ The priorities for implementing the TOP include beach and foreshore activation, largely by working with the Surf Clubs; headland, harbour and foreshore activation; activating walking trail experiences; conducting a site audit of Jerrara Dam to establish the constraints; and looking various ways of increasing visitor accommodation. Watch this space.
Council’s General Manager Kerry McMurray with Mayor Mark Honey and Gareth Ward MP
of toilets will be increased fourfold. Mayor of Kiama Mark Honey agrees the $550,000 in work is needed. “The holiday traffic through the Visitor Information Centre continues to grow, with 450 people passing through on the Sunday of the long weekend alone,” he says. The upgrade of the toilets at Kiama Surf Club has been allocated $100,000. A reconfiguration of the ground floor toilets and change room will increase capacity there too. “I’d like to thank the Member for Kiama for his continued support and ability to secure funding for Kiama and our surrounds,” says Mayor Honey. Work will start after the peak summer period.