Visitor Economy Advisory Panel (VEAP) - Expressions of Interest

What is the Visitor Economy Advisory Panel (VEAP)?

The VEAP provides a forum for engagement, advice and recommendations, for developing a robust visitor economy and creating effective networks and partnerships between Wingecarribee Shire Council (WSC), visitor economy stakeholders, community, and business.

The VEAP provides a focus on industry trends, possible future projects, programs, product development and advocacy ensuring WSC plans meet current and future tourism demands, identifies visitor economy and tourism opportunities that support the growth and sustainability of the local tourism operators, community and businesses.

The VEAP has decision-making opportunities in that it can make recommendations to Wingecarribee Shire Council on a wide range of matters including budget allocations, work plans, strategies, campaigns and other matters relating to the visitor economy, tourism and visitor economy-focused events.

Applications for the Panel were sought via an Expression of Interest in February 2024. Please see below for your 2024 Advisory Panel Members:

Natalie Dare
Amanda Fry
Stefano Marvello
Max Mason
Nathan Ponder
Richard Sainsbury
Ally Seymour
Ben Shephard
Kellie Stapleton

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name	Council's Tourism and Events Team
Phone	02 4868 0888
Email	mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au

Document Library

FAQs

The VEAP has the following functions, to be executed with due regard to the Community

Strategic Plan, Delivery Plan, Operational Plan and budgets as adopted by Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Develop and implement a Visitor Economy Action Plan that aligns with the goals of the Destination Strategy 2020 - 2030 subject to receiving budgetary allocation in the 2024/25 budget.
Present for consideration by Wingecarribee Shire Council annual strategic marketing campaigns to ensure the delivery of the Action Plan.

The Visitor Economy Advisory Panel is made up of individuals with relevant experience, knowledge and skills in the relevant subject area. They will collaborate with each other, Council and industry.

The VEAP will meet formally at least four times a year (a combination of face-to-face and online meetings) and may collaborate throughout the year via email and online tools.

Advisory body members are appointed for a two-year term, or until the next local government election. The VEAP has decision-making opportunities and provides recommendations to the Wingecarribee Shire Council on a range of matters related to the visitor economy.

The VEAP members are appointed by Council Resolution through an Expression Of Interest process which is advertised when vacancies exist. Applications are assessed against set criteria.

The VEAP will consist of at least ten skills-based industry representatives and tourism-based business owners. Councilors may be invited to meetings, as well as other Council staff. The Committee will meet every quarter to align with the Council review process.

The VEAP is one of several ways that the Council seeks advice and input from the community.

The VEAP can provide strategic, subject-specific advice about the visitor economy to the Council but is not intended to represent advice outside of this scope.

The VEAP therefore compliments other forms of community engagement that the Council undertakes including face-to-face meetings and discussions, stakeholder workshops, project working groups, community forums, surveys, community panel engagement and digital engagement methods via the Wingecarribee Shire Council website.

Members are selected by the Council based on the following broad criteria:

Relevant senior business management experience as an active tourism operator with demonstrated success relevant to the Southern Highlands region.
Able to commit to at least four meetings per annum plus additional sub-committee meetings.
Demonstrate an ability to provide advice to the Council that is strategic, not politically biased, and considers a whole-of-Southern-Highland approach.
Demonstrate an ability to work constructively and collaboratively as part of a team.
Demonstrate an understanding of the role, function and services provided by Local Government and NSW and Commonwealth Government.
Complimentary skillset and experience to other members of the advisory panel.

The Council is committed to creating a Visitor Economy Advisory Panel (VEAP) that accurately mirrors the intricacies and complexities of the region’s visitor economy. This effort aims to capture comprehensive advice and insights from a wide spectrum of individuals to enhance the quality of insights and perspectives.

The VEAP members are appointed as individuals, not as formal representatives of their community, community organisation, business interest, or industry group.

Name	Wingecarribee Shire Council
Phone	02 4868 0888
Email	mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Website	www.wsc.nsw.gov.au

Name

Wingecarribee Shire Council

Phone

02 4868 0888

mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au

Website