Northern Rivers region's peak tourism industry body

Northern Rivers Tourism is the Northern Rivers region's peak tourism industry body. NRT acts as a representative of tourism operators and liaison between Tourism NSW and the regional tourism industry. NRT advocates on behalf of the region's tourism interests and develops policy to effectively manage the core activities of marketing, industry development and co-ordination. It provides leadership through effective communication with stakeholders and members.

The region Northern Rivers Tourism covers areas from just north of Coffs Harbour to the Queensland border, west to include Kyogle, Tabulam, Casino and Grafton. The region includes the following local government areas: Kyogle Council, Tweed Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, Lismore City Council, Ballina Shire Council, Richmond Valley Council, and Greater Clarence City Council.

Northern Rivers Tourism is a membership-based incorporated association, with an Executive Board of 7 Directors. The voluntary directors are selected on the basis of skills and experience and appointed for a two-year term.

Subscribers to Northern Rivers Tourism receive access to a password protected area of this web site, and regular email communications. As the Executive Office of Northern Rivers Tourism are the official 'funnel' for information direct from Tourism NSW, access to these communication channels are important for anyone interested in tourism in this region. To subscribe, complete this form or contact the Northern Rivers Tourism Executive Office (details in footnote).

Rainforest Way

The Rainforest Way is a touring route based on experiencing the spectacular World Heritage listed Rainforests of Northern NSW and South East Queensland. It has received unprecedented cross border and regional support and consultation from local and state government departments, regional agencies and the tourism industry to bring the project to this point. A primary route has been identified along with 7 complementary loops and trails.

See the tourist web site for Rainforest Way www.rainforestway.com.au
Contact the Project Manager - Robyn Rae at robyn.rae@rainforestway.com.au or by phoning 66228960 or 0421912509.

Annual General Meeting for 2006/2007

The Northern Rivers Tourism Annual General Meeting for 2006-07 was held on December 11 at the Byron at Byron Resort, Spa and Conference Centre.

For a copy of the presentation – 2006 AGM: Looking to the Future, by John O’Neill, Director, Northern Rivers Tourism, click here.

For a copy of the presentation about upcoming marketing opportunities by International Tourism Marketing Specialist, Jodie Evans, Tourism NSW, click here.

For a copy of the presentation about the Rainforest Way by Robyn Rae, Rainforest Way Project Manager, click here.

To see the AGM media releases, click here.

New Tourism Board Announced

The new Board of Northern Rivers Tourism (NRT) was announced to tourism industry representatives at a tourism industry function held at the Ramada Hotel and Suites in Ballina on Friday 7 December 2007.  The new Board of Northern Rivers Tourism (NRT) was announced to the gathered NRT industry.

The announcements were made by the Chair of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils, Cr Ernie Bennett.  NRT has undergone a review and restructure process over the past 12 months culminating in the appointment of a new Board that will guide the organisation in the future.

Chair of NRT, Gerd Beurich, said he wished to thank the interim Board who have worked tirelessly over the 12 months to refocus and realign the organisation.  “We received a comprehensive review at the end of 2006 conducted by a task force that was appointed by the former NRT Board.  We then took the recommendations of this review and went out and talked with the tourism industry as to how they saw their industry organisation in the future.  The new NRT is industry focussed and based on the premise of industry leading itself.” Mr Beurich said.

The function also introduced the new CEO, Mr Russell Mills, to the industry.  Mr Mills has recently concluded his London-based position as International Regional Director UK Europe for Tourism NSW, London and will formally commence duties on the 1st January.

The new organisation is about an organisation that will create opportunities for industry operators large and small, provide advocacy for the region as a whole and provide access to a range of services and marketing intelligence for members.   Industry members will make their own commercial decisions as to whether they pick up and take advantage of these opportunities and services or not.  The Membership of the new organisation will facilitate opportunity for all sectors of the tourism industry in the Northern Rivers from the largest to the smallest operator and will be open to all tourism sectors from industry operators to Local Government.

The organisation has a responsibility to the whole Northern Rivers region and it is encouraging to see that there is representation from all parts of the region from the Clarence through to the Tweed on the new Board.  Board members are there to represent the whole region with emphasis on offering skills-based expertise rather than representing specific geographic areas or any particular sector of the industry. They are there to represent the whole industry throughout the whole region.

Mr Beurich went on to say that “NRT has become an industry membership based organisation whereas previously the only members were the 7 councils within the region.  NRT is encouraging all industry operators to become members and avail themselves of the opportunities, advocacy and marketing intelligence that will be made available to members.  Membership is based on $1 per day and is the same for all stakeholders throughout the region. Once access to membership is gained an operator can choose to participate in the various marketing and industry development opportunities that NRT will present or not to on their own commercial basis.  It will be very much a pay to play philosophy” Mr Beurich said.

The Board

Under the NRT constitution, Board members are selected by an independent panel. Office bearers are determined by the Board. In the event of a vacancy the board can co-opt members to fill that vacancy.

The current Board is:

• Russell Mills, CEO
• Jan Barham, Mayor, Byron Shire Council
• Gerd Beurich (Chairman), General Manager, Mantra on Salt Beach
• Suzie Coulston (Deputy Chair), Economic Development Officer, Kyogle Council
• Kristina Drapes, Kristina Drapes Project Management
• Sandra Grogan (Secretary), Rooftops B&B
• John Jenkins, Southern Cross University, Head of School, Tourism & Hospitality
• Mark Johnston (Public Officer), Regional Manager, National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Lyn Parché, General Manager, Byron at Byron Resort, Spa and Conference Centre
• Colin Woodbry (Treasurer), Business Manager, North Coast Holiday Parks Reserve Trust

The Board

Under the NRT constitution, Board members are selected by an independent panel. Office bearers are determined by the Board. In the event of a vacancy the board can co-opt members to fill that vacancy.

Privacy Statement for Northern Rivers Tourism

Northern Rivers Tourism Inc has created this privacy statment to demonstrate its firm commitment to the protection of personal information under the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (The Act). You can be confident that any information (name and organisation only) you provide will be managed according to the Act. The information you provide will not be made available to any person or organisation outside Northern Rivers Tourism. You may access and/or request to amend any of the information we hold for you. If you have questions regarding our information handling processes or security, please contact us.