Recovering nicely
While the bushfires and COVID have definitely had a significant impact on local businesses, with time the hardships suffered will be just a blip on the radar. Many businesses are now doing very well, and recovering nicely, thank you, due to a number of reasons including timely and much needed financial support from both state and federal governments.
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A small group of Merimbula retailers have also pooled resources to produce television advertisements that have been airing in Canberra. As a result of the "Boutique Merimbula" television campaign, many Canberrans have decided to visit Merimbula, some for the first time.
As well as shopping in the well renowned boutiques Merimbula has to offer, the visitors are choosing to stay for a night or more. So, thanks to the "Boutique Merimbula" advertisements, hospitality, accommodation and other retailers are also benefiting from the visitors that may have decided to shop elsewhere had they not seen the television advertisement. Television is a very influential medium that can't be overstated.
It is also worth noting the importance of the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) to Merimbula businesses that are heavily reliant on tourists. The feedback I've received from visitors is that, as a result of the staff at the VIC giving expert tips and first-hand experiences about things to see and do, the visitors have either extended their stay or decided to return at a later date to explore the area further, or to take part in various local tourism experiences.
Kathy Simmons, Merimbula
Don't miss regional recovery wave
Terry Mellington's call for external applicants for Bega Valley Shire's new general manager after eight years is timely.
When council in 2013 hired a leading member of the 'local government club' as recruitment agency, selecting a middle-ranking council staffer became inevitable.
Councillors should now rise above the 'club' with its ingrained, dyed-in-the-wool organisational cultures.
The model for an independent recruiter should repeat councillors' recent decision addressing financial maladministration - appoint an expert panel to recommend an independent recruitment agency.
That will guarantee Bega Valley Shire does not miss out on the current wave of NSW regional renaissance - appointing a CEO with essential personal skills of diplomacy, professionalism and communication, ready to grasp the challenging opportunities created by COVID's disruptive force.
NSW regions are experiencing sizeable inflows with rapid house price jumps and tight rentals, as thousands relocate from Sydney.
Our new CEO must embrace this new regionalisation agenda including existing, well-funded supporting government programs like the Regional Recovery Partnerships and the Building Better Regions Fund.
Regional circumstances are changing, driven by: digitisation; localisation; decentralisation; service innovation, and; adaptability - forces underpinning population shifts to small towns and regions.
The mass takeup of telehealth during the pandemic exemplifies rapid change. Bega Valley Shire will only achieve its full regionalisation potential during this ongoing recovery by recruiting a high-achiever with sufficient energy and ambition to capitalise on our assets in tourism, environment, food production and export, forestry and energy.
Jon Gaul, Tura Beach
Stingy deal for pensioners
Any pensioners in possession of a Regional Seniors Travel Card should be aware that Woolworths will not accept the card for payment of fuel if you wish to also use your Woolworths Rewards Card for the four cent discount. Rather stingy attitude by a large multinational. Do they really need to claw back a few cents from pensioners in what are tough times? I suggest go elsewhere for fuel or complain to send them a message.