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Campaspe Shire will spend $78,000 in the next three years to be part of a new tourism board for the Murray region.
Council this week agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with Tourism Victoria, Tourism NSW and 16 other councils along the border to create the new Murray Regional Tourism Board.
Cr Marion Riley said the board would provide the Murray area with a united, strategic direction to managing tourism.
``The board, which will comprise of eight representatives elected by the councils which make up the Murray, represents the biggest co-operation on tourism issues that this region has ever seen,'' Cr Riley said.
``There is so much on offer in the Murray region, whether visitors are looking for time to relax, top-class food and wine, golf, national parks and nature-based tourism, history and heritage or the many water-based attractions of the Murray River, so it is only logical that we work together to attract more visitors _ and importantly, dollars.''
Echuca-Moama and District Tourism (EMT) director Simon Latchford said the new tourism board would be a great benefit to the region.
``This is a great initiative by Tourism Victoria and Tourism NSW and it's good news that both Campaspe and Murray shires have agreed to support the initiative,'' Mr Latchford said.
``There are huge benefits for the region and the tourism industry. There is an opportunity to focus consumer attention on the Murray regions, the ability to control our own destiny and not have to go to Tourism Victoria in Melbourne for everything. We will have a professional board of management and a chief executive officer appointed, plus support staff to focus on driving business to the Murray region.
``There will be significant opportunities for bodies such as EMT to then work closely with the Murray board and piggy back off the overall marketing initiatives.''
The project would also provide funding opportunities for various projects, support opportunities for projects such as air access and the ability to have the Murray region represented, Mr Latchford said.
``Provided the human resources with the appropriate skills and drive are selected, then this project has the potential to be life-changing for the region,'' he said.
Campaspe Shire will make the second-largest contribution in the first year out of the six Victorian councils and 11 NSW councils.
It will contribute $26,000, behind Mildura on $27,270, while Albury will chip in $23,960.
Murray Shire will contribute $6520 in the first year.
Cr Riley said the board's key functions would include regional marketing, industry development, product development, skills training, mentoring, networking, identifying investment priorities and managing sustainability.
A full-time chief executive officer and additional staff will be appointed soon.
``Involvement in the board will help strengthen council's tourism position and reputation with other councils and the State Government. The formation of the board aligns with council's strategic objective to build vibrant communities with strong identities,'' Cr Riley said.
Cr Riley said council anticipated strong economic growth in the tourism industry, particularly in relation to industry development, training and up-skilling local operators, as a result of the board's work.
Victorian shires involved are Mildura, Campaspe, Swan Hill, Moira, Gannawarra and Wodonga, while Albury, Wakool, Wentworth, Jerilderie, Urana, Greater Hume, Murray, Balranald, Berrigan, Corowa and Deniliquin make up the NSW participants.
