After an absence of several decades, Tenterfield is on the verge of again having a Chamber of Commerce, affiliated with the NSW Business Chamber, to provide a structure for coordinated efforts to boost the shire’s business and tourism profile.
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Following a tumultuous period in the history of Tenterfield tourism promotion organisations, MP Thomas George chaired a meeting of interested parties on June 8, resulting in the formation of a steering committee to form a new and unified Business Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism for the Tenterfield district.
Barry O’Connor, proprietor of Tenterfield Lodge has been elected as chairperson for the steering committee’s duration. Ben Silver, Kristen Lovett, Kevin Santin, Peter Brier-Mills, Keith Butler, Tim Dillon and Frances Overell make up the remaining members who will all drive the process for creation of the new chamber, including registration, naming and logo design.
The aim is to provide Tenterfield with a single, strong and unified voice to represent all businesses within the shire, including retail, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The new model will allow alignment with the NSW Business Chamber, bringing a range of benefits including training, marketing and inclusion in the regional and state tourism and business awards.
Mayor Peter Petty is very positive about the formation of the business chamber and steering committee.
“This is a great move for the business community of Tenterfield,” he said.
“Tenterfield is moving through a period of growth and with the recent announcement of $10 million funding for the heavy vehicle bypass, the business and tourism communities need to work together to make Tenterfield the ‘go to’ place.”
Council staff will be providing support and advice to the steering committee. The next committee meeting will be held next Monday, July 11 with the group continuing to work towards the formation of the new chamber.
Tenterfield and District Visitors Association members met on Monday night to determine that association’s future, opting to enter into voluntary termination and move its assets to the new chamber to be quarantined for tourism promotion.
Tenterfield and District Business Association’s Ben Silver said the new chamber is something TADBA have been anticipating for some time, and the committee is in the process of dissolving its organisation to merge with the chamber. He said TADBA assets would be passed to the chamber, unquarantined.
“We need just one body, for the betterment of Tenterfield,” Mr Silver said.
