New plan to change Denmark tourism has public comment period extended

The Shire of Denmark’s tourism future has been mapped out in a draft sustainable tourism strategy, which is out for public comment until August 6.

The draft plan focuses on destination management, destination marketing and visitor experience.

These areas would guide the Shire’s approach to sustainable tourism management over the next four years, with a focus on tourism adding sustainable value to the economy, social fabric and ecology of the shire.

According to the Shire, the strategy aims to support the presence of a coherent marketing story for Denmark that highlights its sustainability.

Destination management would go hand in hand with management of the visitor experience to balance economic growth with social, cultural and environmental factors.

To do this, the Shire would take on various roles including as an advocate, leader, partner and service provider.

Planning for the strategy took place in association with Outdoors Great Southern — formerly GSCORE — in February this year.

More than 400 community responses were then used to develop the draft plan alongside council consultation and research on other local governments.

Last week, the public comment period was extended for 14 days to August 6.

Shire chief executive David Schober said the draft strategy was an important document and more time was needed to let the community have their say. “Council is committed to providing our community with more time to consider this important document,” he said.

“It means we’ve now moved the deadline for public comment submissions back by a fortnight and we hope to receive additional feedback during the course of the comment period.”

Once the public submissions have been considered, the final draft document will go to a full council vote in August.