Denmark tourism body and locals want a longer lease for town visitor centre

Denmark Tourism Incorporated is negotiating with the Shire of Denmark to get a longer lease on the town’s visitor centre.

At the Shire’s council meeting on October 20, councillors approved an eight-month lease for DTI to run from November 1 until June 30, 2021.

However, DTI and residents expressed concerns about the length of the approved lease.

Shire chief executive David Schober confirmed Shire staff, councillors and DTI held a meeting last week to discuss the matter.

“We want to continue to work through a collaborative relationship,” he said.

“Everybody involved agreed a longer term view on tourism is needed. A band-aid fix solution would just impede that.”

The Shire is now considering the development of a 12-month tourism strategy to guide the council.

During public question time at last month’s council meeting, DTI member Petra Thompson expressed her disappointment.

“Denmark Tourism Inc would need a longer lease term in order to access any external funding,” she said.

Community member Liz Jack agreed, saying DTI “needed a longer lease term if they were to realise their opportunities”.

Once the visitor centre is reopened, DTI wants to operate under a similar model to that used at the centre before it transitioned to Amazing South Coast.