Buloke Shire looks at its future tourism and economic development

The shire's Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee met for the first time this week with early discussions turning to agriculture and tourism.

Buloke Shire chief executive Anthony Judd said it was a positive start for the committee who was represented by people from, different townships and sectors to provide a broad skills and knowledge base including engineering, science, tourism, farming, teaching and finance.

"There was a competitive process in place before we selected and found a fantastic, diverse group of people with skill sets that are pertinent for tourism and development," he said.

"It was a really positive meeting and the discussion generated around the table was great. There is diversity in terms of geographical areas represented as well as a mix of people."

Mr Judd said intensive agriculture and the digital future for farmers was a popular topic.

"How we work with groups more to create greater advantages and opportunities for farmers in region was a common interest," he said.

"We have had a lot of poultry farms come in last five or six years, with a lot of investment in approved planning over last six years. So we want to know what are the value adds that we can do there."

Destination tourism was also discussed with an interested in turning the Buloke region into something more than a stopover for visitors bound for the Murray River.

"A lot of discussion was on tourism and small town livability," he said.

"Having a good small-town feel was one thing that has been seen a lot of in the Buloke Shire. We have become more of a destination with our lakes, rather than stop on the way to (place like) Mildura.

"(We want to look at) tourism development and how that can work with our towns, the tourism providers, food and accommodation. Other places are doing great stuff with (tourism), so that opportunity is there." 

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