Boosting business in the Scenic Rim

Small businesses in the Scenic Rim region in the Gold Coast hinterland got a boost last week with a project aimed at supporting farmers and rural landowners to diversify their activities.

More than 40 landowners and farmers attended two field days run by Southern Cross University, in partnership with the Scenic Rim Regional Council and Tourism Queensland, to provide information on how to diversify into agritourism, nature-based or food-based tourism.

The field days are just the beginning of a two-year business development project for the region, with 20 interested landowners from the field days now being selected to go on to take part in a series of workshops designed to help them with their business plans and give their ventures the very best chance of success.

Rose Wright, of Southern Cross University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, said she was pleased with the feedback from the field days.

“The field days are not about convincing people to get involved in things like food and wine trails, farmers' markets or outback adventures, but to give them the information they need to make an informed decision about whether it is something that could work for them,” said Rose.

“We will now work with 10 of the participants to take them through five fortnightly workshops.

“At the workshops, they will learn about how the tourism industry works, refine their idea, identify their strengths and the key features of their existing property or business and assess potential competitors and the financial feasibility of the proposed concept all of which will inform their business plan. We will also be making site visits to the properties and facilitate meetings with council representatives to give them personalised information on how to make their application for approval to council.”

The recent field days were led by Southern Cross University’s Rose Wright and Robyn Rae who provided information on potential tourism options, while presentations from Scenic Rim Regional Council representatives gave an insight into the region’s tourism campaign, as well as vital tips and hints on navigating the council approval process.

Each field day also featured presentations from the property owners of Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm, Cedar Glen Farmstay and the Worendo Cottages and The Wild lime Cooking School who shared their own experiences of agritourism.

Participants included local landowners interested in setting up or expanding luxury or eco-retreats as well as dairy farmers, honey producers, vegetable producers and even finger lime growers from all over the Scenic Rim interested in diversifying and maximizing their business opportunities.

Local landowner Ben Barton, who is at the beginning of starting up Bartopia, a wilderness retreat on his property in Mount Barney, said the information at the field days had been very helpful.

“I am already some way down the track, but it confirmed a lot of things I have been doing, and I was able to tick some of the boxes,” said Ben.

“Some of it was confronting because it highlighted so many of the challenges involved, but above all it was a relief to see the local government putting in place some sustainable strategies for the development of agritourism in the region.”

Photo: Attending the Scenic Rim field day are from back left, Cr Heather Wehl, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Ben Barton, of Mount Barney-based wilderness retreat, Bartopia, and Alana Wright, of Towri Sheep Cheeses with, from front left, Rose Wright and Robyn Rae of Southern Cross University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.