New wine tourism recovery officer will be the toast of the Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim's wine and beverage industry has been given a strategic boost following the Queensland Government's appointment of a Wine Tourism Recovery Officer with more than 30 years' experience.

Industry veteran, Jan Douglas, is employed by the Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation and funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments' Bushfire Community Recovery Package for the Southern Queensland bushfires that impacted the Scenic Rim region in September last year.

One of the Scenic Rim Regional Council's Tourism Advisory Committee Members, Cr Virginia West said that through sharing her expertise across the Scenic Rim and Southern Downs regions, Jan's focus would benefit the 17 wineries and range of other boutique breweries and distilleries scattered across the region.

"We are privileged to have someone of Jan's calibre and proven expertise to support this important and emerging industry rebuild following a range of impacts, including bushfires, drought and now COVID-19," Cr West said.

"Jan will work across both the Scenic Rim and Southern Downs to help build capacity and capability, as well as work with the industry associations to strengthen capability and linkages between the wine industry and the broader tourism industry, which would not be possible without the funding support from the Queensland and Australian Governments.

"Taking into consideration the number of breweries and distilleries across the Scenic Rim, which just like wineries have their own version of 'cellar doors' and offer tasting experiences for the visitor, Council helped to ensure these operators were included in the remit of this program."

Under the Disaster Funding Recovery Arrangements, a Wine Tourism Advisory Committee has also been established to guide the efforts of the Wine Tourism Recovery Officer and program of work, with representation from both industry and Council to ensure the Scenic Rim has a strong voice at the table.

Tamborine Mountain-based Witches Falls Winery owner Kim Heslop, who is the Scenic Rim industry representative on the Committee, said the wine and beverage businesses are an increasingly important part of the tourism offering in the Scenic Rim.

"As visitor numbers to the region have been impacted by the recent bushfires and now COVID-19, these businesses have an important part to play in attracting visitors back to the region.

"Having a more co-ordinated and consistent offering across the sector can only help to enhance the appeal of the Scenic Rim as a tourism destination and we are happy that someone with Jan’s experience has come on board to help deliver this," Kim said.

Industry engagement is key to Jan's program of work, and since starting earlier this month, she has travelled across the region to start meeting with local wine and beverage operators to understand the challenges they are facing, which will help inform the strategy going forward.

At her recent meeting with Shane O'Reilly, Managing Director of O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards, Shane said he was really pleased to see the industry's growth being viewed through a strategic lens.

"We've all been impacted by bushfires and COVID-19, and we know current history shows growth can be phenomenal when done well," said Shane.

"This time last year and for several months following, our numbers dropped significantly as people were told not to come to the region.

"Events and weddings, which are key to our business, meant many inspections and functions were cancelled or postponed, and of course we've then had to manage COVID-19 public health restrictions.

"Having a united and strategic approach to recovery across the region will be beneficial, and it's great that Jan's role will work so closely with Council's tourism and economic development teams, who know the region and the operators so well."

Jan, who is a graduate of the prestigious Roseworthy College at Adelaide University, has experience including senior positions with a range of wine brands running cellar doors and handling marketing and sales, as the Wine and Food Tourism Advisor for the South Australian Tourism Commission and as the Executive Office of the South Australian Wine Industry Council.  She is also a qualified wine sensory evaluation educator.  Her role is contracted until 31 December 2021.

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Pictured: Wine Tourism Recovery Officer Jan Douglas with Shane O'Reilly, Managing Director O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.