Orange Electorate Tourism

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-97887

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Orange Electorate Tourism

Mr PHILIP DONATO (Orange) (19:52:34):

I take this opportunity to put the spotlight on Orange as a leading regional tourist destination in New South Wales. This vibrant regional city and its surrounds attract visitors from near and far. The most recent domestic tourism figures released by Destination NSW indicate that the Orange district is growing substantially in both visitations and tourist spend. A total of 1,070,000 people were recorded as visiting the Orange local government area in the year ending 2016 compared to 773,500 people recorded as visiting in the year prior to that. A substantial increase in the amount of money spent by visitors in the Orange district has also been identified, with $260 million in tourist dollars injected into the local economy in the year ending 2016, compared to $190 million in the year before.

The Cabonne local government area has witnessed significant increases, including a 9.7 per cent year-on-year change in overnight visitations and a 7.6 per cent year-on-year change in overnight visitor expenditure. I am not surprised by these significant increases in visitations because I know that Orange is an energetic, dynamic, exciting and appealing place. The wider community is now recognising what appeal this great area holds for its residents and for visitors. Orange and the surrounding district is a rich agricultural area that yields world-class produce. The local wine industry is well established, yet growing steadily and producing a peerless product that stands up to the world's best. Restaurants and cafes abound, catering for a variety of tastes to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.

The regular farmers market, at which many local farmers and producers cluster to sell their produce and goods, attracts a number of visitors who sample and purchase the fresh local produce and quality products made and produced in Orange and the surrounding district. Food of Orange District Week—known as F.O.O.D Week—is Australia's longest-running food festival. Held annually in Orange since 1991, this growing event is recognised by Destination NSW as one of this State's premier events. The local tourism marketing office, Brand Orange, was established in 2007 as an independent, not-for-profit organisation for the primary purpose of realising significant economic and tourism development, strategic marketing and community benefits for the Orange district and surrounding region. Partnering with Orange City, Cabonne and Blayney councils, Brand Orange is pivotal to the success of many events that share combined support.

Events include the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival, which has grown from 8,039 attendees in 2016 to 11,000 in 2017; Orange apple festival the Orange Apple Ramble, which is a first-time event; F.O.O.D Week, at which attendance has increased from 18,000 in 2016 to 24,000 in 2017; and the Orange Wine Festival—among many others. Commencing in 1952, the Australian National Field Days is the oldest annual agricultural exhibition in Australia. This three-day event attracts thousands of people from across Australia, providing insight into the agricultural industry and offering a range of products and services from the 600-plus exhibitors. The Crafted Live: Brewed and BBQ'd event has flourished in Orange. Attracting barbecue teams from across Australia who compete to claim honours for the best barbecued meat, aromas envelope the site at which many passionate brewers showcase a variety of craft beer to the satisfaction of the many connoisseurs visiting this fledgling event.

Orange recently hosted some elite sporting events. Notable fixtures attracting thousands of visitors included the T20 Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and Hong Kong national teams, and the Shute Shield clash only two weeks ago between Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union Club and Gordon Rugby Club. Both events drew considerable crowds to witness the spectacle. I am hopeful that they will become regular fixtures in Orange. Orange and its surrounds have much to offer those wishing to experience the region. Orange has firmly positioned itself as a popular tourist destination, taking centre stage in regional New South Wales as the place to go—a testament to the place, the people, the produce and the performances.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (19:56:58):

I thank the member for Orange for his statement about the importance of visitations across rural and regional New South Wales. The Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Hon. Adam Marshall, has announced the "What I Love About Holidays in NSW" campaign, which will use videos and photographs taken by travel enthusiasts and locals to showcase a vast array of experiences throughout the State, including Orange, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and up and down the coast. In the past I remember the Coure family visiting Port Macquarie—as we still do—Wauchope, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and occasionally travelling further north to Coffs Harbour. I invite people to get a taste for rural and regional Australia; enjoy what the local communities have to offer in places like Dubbo, Orange and the mid North Coast.

The House adjourned, pursuant to standing and sessional orders, at 19:58 until

Wednesday 31 May 2017 at 10:00.