Achievements

Discovery Coast Tourism & Commerce Achievements

DCTC is proud of the many achievements we have either instigated or supported to benefit the local community and businesses since the organisation became an Incorporated body in 2000. 

Destination marketing

DCTC has an ongoing marketing commitment for our destination to members to maintain fair market share in a competitive industry.  This is achieved through:
  • #VisitAgnes1770
  • Online through www.visitagnes1770.com.au, www.visitagnes1770.com.au/1770-festival/ and www.agnesbluesandroots.com.au
  • Consumer social media presence with Facebook and Instagram accounts for the destination and the various Festivals – @VisitAgnes1770 @AgnesBluesFest @1770Festival
  • Instaflags, outdoor signage, publicity, offline brochures, advertisements, editorials, media releases, blogs, famils, enewsletters and joint marketing activities)
  • Imagery and video libraries for both the region and local businesses to use
  • Destination” highlights i.e. Weddings, Fishing, Nature, Health, and Wellbeing
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    Significant achievements

    • Successful and profitable staging of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 & 2023 Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festivals. 
    • The successful staging of the 1770 Festival event for many years
    • Successful grant applications and project management for the construction of a permanent stage at the SES grounds in 1770 and subsequent storage and green room attached to the stage. This is a facility for the entire community to use
    • SES Grounds permanent lighting project funding request by DCTC resulted in the project completion by GRC
    • 250th Anniversary of Cook’s landing project grants received of over $100,000.00 in funding, to now be applied in 2021
    • Grants of $600,000.00 + in funding from three levels of Government for upgrades to Fingerboard Road
    • Town meetings in 2014 and 2015 to establish “Top Priorities” for the progress of the area and continued consultation with community and businesses. DCTC membership meant that DCTC members were involved at all levels.
    • The rebranding of the Town of 1770- Agnes Water merchandise line.
    • Maintaining digital portals for tourism promotion (www.visitagnes1770.com.au and www.agnesbluesandroots.com.au.
    • Instagram account and hashtag promotion for the destination.
    • Marketing through TV advertising, TV segments, press (for example channel nine’s Today show, Qld Weekender, House Hunters International, QantasLink magazine), year-round radio promotion in the 400 km radius market, all utilising the call to action of VisitAgnes1770.com.au and cementing the #VisitAgnes1770, Southern Great Barrier Reef channels
    • Supporting Tourism and Events Queensland’s “Where Great Begins” SGBR campaigns
    • Since 2005 DCTC has created, produced and promoted the destination logo, its experiences, and a heritage-themed map
    • Co-ordinating exposure of our area at the annual Burnett Promotional Night at Qld parliament House, thanks to Stephen Bennett MP
    • Hosting a number of functions and workshops for business development and promotion
    • Hosting visits to the town of 1770 and Agnes Water by key TEQ staff, Kate Jones MP, Glenn Butcher MP, Stephen Bennett MP, Ken O’Dowd MP, Jann Stuckey MP and Meet the Candidate events prior to elections
    • DCTC was the umbrella organisation for the steering committee that established the Bendigo Community Bank in Agnes Water
    • DCTC called Miriam Vale Shire Councillors to a special meeting to overturn their decision not to provide funding for the 1770 Foreshore development. Consequently, over $1m from State and Local Government created the tastefully designed foreshore that today enhances the visual beauty of 1770 for visitors

    Community, Environment and Economic Sustainability

    • Corporate promotion of DCTC and its activities
    • Support and development of new events, new products, new attractions with strategic planning and training
    • 250th Anniversary in 1770 Project
    • Online Event Calendar
    • Grow the  Blues Festival and Captain Cook 1770 Festival to be self-sustainable
    • discovery coast Enviro Group collaboration (litter, plastic bag free, Tidy Towns awards, joint purchasing plan)
    • Cohesion with other local community groups (Lions, Rotary, Dragons, Bendigo Community Bank, 1770 Art Show)

    Other Ongoing DCTC Activities

    • General membership meeting, 1st Wednesday of each month: 5:00 Pm start (except January)
    • E-newsletter with business opportunities and updates
    • Sell DCTC merchandise in your own business for profit

    Gladstone region Infrastructure Priorities for Tourism

    • Floodproofing key access routes
    • Improved access to national parks to deliver the potential of key nature and adventure locations across the region
    • establishing a major new drive route, supported by appropriate signposting
    • Re-introduction of traineeship job scheme for tourism, hospitality and service industries
    • Funding for regions and regional development programs

    Gladstone Region Destination Tourism Plan Vision

    “For the Discovery Coast, this means building recognition and appeal as a holiday destination. Increased visitor numbers and lengths of stay will be unlocked via encouraging new and enhanced reef, island and activity experiences, alongside investment in essential tourism precinct and access improvements. Developing its position as a center of health and wellbeing provides an opportunity to complement the area’s appeal as a destination to enjoy Queensland’s laid back and uncrowded beach lifestyle”, 

    Events

    • The very successful annual Agnes Blues, Roots and Rock Festival is held each February
    • The annual 1770 Festival is held the weekend closest to 24 May, the date Lt. James Cook landed at what is now known as the Town of 1770
    • The 1770 Festival in 2021 will commemorate the 251st anniversary of Cook’s landing and will be a three-week Festival from 06 May through 23 May 2021
    • Successfully staged the Agnes Water and 1770 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay event in March 2018

    Ongoing Government liaison and Industry Advocacy Involvement

     DCTC have a seat within the Gladstone Regional Council Economic Recovery Committee, formed in March 2020 as a result of COVID-19.

    DCTC have a seat within the Destination Tourism Plan Development Group for the Gladstone Region. DCTC is advocating for a Tourism Masterplan to be developed for the Agnes Water & 1770 area

    DCTC has been instrumental with the bike path extension to interconnect our twin towns and provide safe passage between the two

    DCTC is involved with the ongoing access to Agnes Water and 1770 via rail, air, and the road to ensure the twin towns are able to conduct both community and local business. i.e. floodproofing.

    DCTC is involved in illegal camping management.

    DCTC is involved in many aspects of signage packages for the twin towns  that impact on entrance arrivals,  both brown and green tourist signage, local walking trails, kangaroo signage and beach accesses being highlighted.