Orange360 has been given $200,000 by three councils to develop a tourism campaign to protect local jobs by wooing visitors to the region when the COVID-19 risk eases.
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Orange City Council completed the deal on Tuesday night when it agreed to fund $100,000 on top of $50,000 from each of Blayney and Cabonne councils.
Orange360 chairman Peter Robson told council there would be significant job losses in the region when the federal government's JobKeeper support program for business was reduced and removed.
A significant economic downturn which will see at least 10 per cent unemployment and 15 per cent youth unemployment.
- Peter Robson, Orange360 chairman
The first cuts start on September 28.
Mr Robson said the funding was needed for the region to compete with other areas for tourist dollars.
"If the [federal] treasurer has got it right we are going to see a significant economic downturn which will see at least 10 per cent unemployment and 15 per cent youth unemployment," he said.
Mr Robson said there would also be a "hidden component" of people dropping out of the workforce which could push the unemployment level to 14 per cent.
"That's when the Orange economy will be most vulnerable," he said.
Mr Robson said 6000 people were employed in tourism in the Orange region and they were at risk. "There are some significant storm clouds ahead," he said.
"This is certainly a situation we have got to work extremely hard to avoid.
"We think that this program is going to help a lot to ameliorate it. We have got to be on the front foot because many other communities are doing the same thing."
Mr Robson said Orange360 would roll out its campaign when the COVID-19 risks eased and it was safe for people to visit.
"We'll pull the trigger on it when we think it is necessary," he said.
"This industry is acutely aware of its responsibilities of being COVID-19 compliant."
Council also agreed to provide $10,000 to the Orange Wine Month program replacing the wine festival this year due to the virus.
Cr Kevin Duffy said he opposed funding both programs right now as visitors from Sydney could bring the coronavirus to Orange.
However, Cr Joanne McRae said despite people being critical on social media about visitors coming to Orange there had not been any public submissions to council about the tourism funding proposal.
Other councillors said tourism operators were following COVID-19 rules and council should invest in saving local jobs.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
