Hopes for One Bass Coast model

The future of Destination Phillip Island (DPI) was in the spotlight at the organisation’s  event last Tuesday in Summerland, following the State Government’s previously reported merger proposals and Bass Coast Shire Council’s suggested ‘One Bass Coast’ alternative.
“DPI is behind the One Bass Coast model and appreciative of council’s support for it,” Chair Catherine Basterfield said.
She told her audience of local business and tourism operators that DPI is keen to get an idea of what everyone wants, no matter what the next tourism board model looks like, noting there’ll be a survey in the coming weeks to help achieve that objective.
Bass Coast Shire councillors supported the proposal for a One Bass Coast approach at their March council meeting, that being preferred to State Government merger options.
Those options, issued through the Department of Jobs, Skills Industry and Regions (DJSIR) were for Destination Phillip Island along with the rest of Bass Coast Shire to merge with Destination Gippsland or Mornington Peninsula, or for DPI to join Mornington Peninsula on its own.
If it proves viable and receives State Government support, the One Bass Coast option would see DPI join the rest of Bass Coast rather than merge with tourism boards from outside the shire.
With the council vote unanimous on March 19, council resolved to write to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events outlining its preference for a One Bass Coast approach.
“I fully endorse this option,” Cr Ron Bauer said ahead of the vote, expressing the view it is the right approach to provide the best value for money, and labelling Phillip Island as “the jewel in the crown”. 
“If the Island is the jewel in the crown, the mainland is the crown,” Cr Brett Tessari responded, before praising the One Bass Coast recommendation.
Cr Meg Edwards stressed the upcoming tourism board changes are about governance rather than branding, expressing a preference for the One Bass Coast model over other proposed approaches.
Cr Tim O’Brien expressed the view the State Government’s merger options are unsuitable, suggesting the proposed link to the Mornington Peninsula is “not a good fit”.
“We’re quite different; it’s much more of a rural and regional feel down here,” he said, noting council’s option is the one he feels should be vigorously pursued.
Mayor Rochelle Halstead stressed that Phillip Island is the second most visited destination by tourists in Victoria, arguing there is a strong case for treating it as a stand-alone destination.
“I think we’re strong enough as a region, Bass Coast and Phillip Island, in our visitation to hold up our own destination,” she said, adding that wouldn’t prevent establishing partnerships with other parts of Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula.
Cr Halstead expressed concern the State Government’s merger proposals seem to be largely based on geographical grounds rather than determined by economic benefits, therefore backing the recommendation to support the One Bass Coast model.