Destination Docklands to continue

Destination Docklands to continue

The City of Melbourne is to continue to support Destination Docklands for at least another year.

The council has voted to put $200,000 into the organisation for the next financial year.

The local marketing co-opertative had asked the council for $250,000 per year for three years, but councillors were offended that Places Victoria (PV) was apparently only willing to contribute $50,000 annually.

Places Victoria says it is not its role to fund destination marketing, but councillors don’t see it that way.

Cr Brian Shanahan summed up the councillors’ view when he said: “We look forward to full control in Docklands.”

The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said to suggest PV did not have an equal role to play in marketing was “specious”.

The council has called on PV to match the $100,000 it has pledged to resource the Destination Docklands organisation for the next 12 months (the council has also pledged $100,000 for events).

The motion, which was supported unanimously by councillors at their March 27 meeting, said the council’s funding was contingent on a matching $100,000 from PV.  

But Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the council would make the funding available regardless of PV’s contribution.

Places Victoria’s manager for city west, Simon Wilson, said its exact contribution would be determined as part of its 2012/13 budgeting process.

Mr Wilson pointed out that he had facilitated discussions with the Docklands corporate development sectors to garner further financial support for Destination Docklands.

Councillors also voted to instruct CEO Kathy Alexander and marketing manager Martin Cutter to resign from the Destination Docklands board.

The council intends to evaluate its position within the year.

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