OBERON Council will again have a stall at the Regional Living Expo (formerly known as the Country Regional and Living Expo) when it is held at the Sydney Showgrounds at Olympic Park on August 6 and 7.
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Oberon Council passed a recommendation that council hold a stall at the expo at its recent meeting.
The cost for a 3m x 2m site is $3995 and a 3m x 3m site is $4950.
Council will seek sponsorship from the Oberon Business and Tourism Association (OBTA) to assist with the hire of the stand and request volunteers to assist in manning the stand.
The expo is an opportunity to promote the Oberon region to potential new residents.
The Foundation for Regional Develop-ment co-ordinates the event and has provided information about new initiatives which will be included this year.
A number of seminars targeting Sydney basin farmers will be held one month before the Regional Living Expo to give the farmers information about opportunities to relocate with their families.
Statistics indicate there are more than 2200 farms in the Sydney basin, including orchards, market and cut flower gardens, dairy and poultry farms, which produce approximately 80 per cent of the state’s perishable produce.
Many of these farmers are under stress due to urban infill, poor succession planning and pressures relating to mining and rising land values.
Members of OBTA have indicated they are enthusiastic and offer their full and willing support for the event. They say they recognise the importance of promoting the town and district to potential new residents, particularly families with working and school age members.
They believe that now is the time to actively promote Oberon given the expected expansion of businesses in the town over the next couple of years.
Cr Sam Lord believes the expo is not only about attracting city-dwellers to move to Oberon, but will also promote tourism in the district.
“We need to make a more committed approach to tourism in Oberon to create a better economy and more employment,” she said.
“We are only three hours from one of Australia’s largest cities and we should be looking to create a more proactive approach to drawing people to Oberon for short stays in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Cr Lord said Oberon has many event gaps in the winter calendar and should look at attracting more indoor markets, auctions, coin fairs and stamp expos.