Central Coast Council has been named Outstanding Region in this year’s Harvey Norman Produce Awards as the region’s reputation as a gourmet foodie destination continues to grow.
The award announced is the latest in a string of achievements by Council and the Destination Central Coast team.
Spokesperson for Destination Central Coast and Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said it was thrilling that the work the team has been doing to support and grow the visitor economy is being recognised at such high levels, particularly in the food, wine and gourmet experiences sector.
“In a relatively short period of time since bringing the function of tourism marketing and management in-house in July 2020, Council has developed a powerful Destination Central Coast brand that has united our industry, elevated our tourism offering and is turning heads,” Smith said.
“This latest accolade puts the spotlight on our brilliant producers, restaurateurs and our foodie industry, which the team have been focusing on growing and developing.
“From research we knew that food and gourmet experiences was the second biggest reason for travel and yet the traveller perception for the Central Coast was that our food and wine offerings were ‘stuck in the 70s’.
“We knew this wasn’t a true reflection of the Central Coast industry, considering we had several hatted restaurants and many casual dining options that wouldn’t be out of place in Surry Hills.
“So the team have worked to tell the Central Coast foodie story better and this award is recognition of their success.”
Since the Love Central Coast brand launched, Council has propelled the Central Coast region onto the world stage receiving a number of accolades including: ECO Destination Certification (only the third region in Australia and second in NSW); Central Coast named in Green Destinations’ international 2021 Top 100 Sustainability Stories list; Highly Commended NSW Local Government Excellence Awards – Special Project Initiative for Love Central Coast; Bronze Award Local Government Award for Tourism at the NSW Tourism Awards 2021; Three finalists in the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards 2022 (Long Jetty, Wyong and Woy Woy); Winner Most Compelling Itinerar’ at the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards 2021; and finalist in Wotif’s Aussie Town of the Year Awards 2021.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said he was proud that the Central Coast visitor economy is supported by such a strong, resourceful and passionate marketing and tourism team at Council.
“The past few years have seen the Central Coast impacted by severe weather events and an ongoing pandemic,” he said.
“Tourism is a growing industry on the Central Coast, and key to helping the Central Coast economy recover and flourish.
“The Marketing and Tourism team have been able to develop a brand that resonates with locals and visitors to the region, and one which has shown resilience throughout recent emergency situations.
In its 17th year, the Harvey Norman Produce Awards is regarded as one of Australia’s most prestigious food industry campaign celebrating the country’s new, innovative, native and consistently outstanding Australian ingredients grown, caught, sourced or produced with dedication, passion, knowledge and regard for the environment.
The Outstanding Region award recognises an Australian region or place that has successfully established itself as an outstanding culinary destination.
Learn more about the Central Coast’s unique makers, creators, producers and innovators at lovecentralcoast.com
Source:
Media release, Aug 21
Central Coast Council