¶ COLLIE Shire will continue its involvement with the Bunbury Geographe Tourism Partnership.
At its February meeting, council supported the shire’s participation in a newly negotiated 2025/26 agreement, presided over by the Bunbury Geographe Group of Councils (BGGC).
Chief executive officer Phil Anastasakis explained that the BGGC oversees a range of activities, including the partnership.
“It’s almost like a committee that deals with specifically tourism issues, requesting funding to deal with their particular initiatives,” Mr Anastasakis said.
Ahead of the motion being put to council, Adventure Connections owner Kym Gibson used public question time to stress the benefits of the partnership to councillors.
Mrs Gibson said having a collaborative voice had allowed tourism operators to increase their engagement.
“People are coming up the hill regularly now from Bunbury Geographe, and we’ve developed relationships with the Bunbury Visitor Centre and other organisations,” she said.
“I really do think it is worthwhile and valuable to follow this partnership for as long as possible into the future.”
Council also received an update on the partnership’s Regional Tourism Strategy 2024-2027, which proposes the tourism marketing program continues to be guided by BGGC chief executive officers.
Council will review the shire’s continued partnership membership beyond June 30, 2026 as part of its broader strategic focus and financial evaluation.