Hervey Bay Gossip

So it seems that despite all the money we pour into advertising the wonders of Hervey Bay we’re somehow missing the mark and being beaten by Rainbow Beach.

It’s hardly surprising that people are passing on Hervey Bay and heading for Rainbow instead. For years now the main complaint has been that there’s nothing to do in Hervey Bay apart from the whales and Fraser Island so perhaps it’s time that some of those tourist dollars were spent pointing out that there is much more to do in Hervey Bay than just see the whales.

Sadly though it seems that our marketing gurus can’t think beyond the obvious when it comes to promoting Hervey Bay and don’t want to do a great deal to even promote those attractions.

It says a lot when local accommodation operators have to do their own promotion but that’s what one group is doing and this banner out on the highway just before the Hervey Bay turnoff is one example of their efforts.

Yes, they’re pushing the whales too but they’re also emphasising other things that Hervey Bay has to offer tourists. So if a small group of what are basically marketing amateurs can do this then why can’t our paid experts do something similar?

Billboard advertising is a highly effective form of marketing … and plenty of other tourist destinations are using this form of marketing along the Bruce Highway but when was the last time you saw a billboard advertising Hervey Bay?

Smoke from burn-offs on Fraser Island … a passing jet … and a couple walking on the beach as the sun goes down over Point Vernon.

What more could someone with a camera ask for

A stunning sunset yesterday taken from Shelly Beach

Jim Mackellar seems to think so and points to the Hervey Bay airport as a prime example.

Supporting the Economic Development Strategy?

From the Fraser Coast Economic Development Strategy Objective 3.2 –

2. Foster a business supportive environment that encourages the retention and development of existing business;     and

5. Promote aviation and the region’s capacity to attract and establish new aviation related business.

Would someone please be able to explain to me how the above two objectives are advanced by forcing established businesses out of their hangers at Hervey Bay airport?

Given that it would appear that the three major facts of the case are –

1. The airport does not presently make a profit;
2. There is ample land available to expand the hanger space;  and
3. There are more prospective tenants available then there is available hanger space.

It would seem that the obvious business decision was to provide more hanger space to provide for all the potential clients rather than evict the present businesses in favour of new clients who may be prepared to pay slightly more.

Alternatively, it may be more feasible to provide new applicants with a long term lease on a suitably sized parcel of land and allow them to build their own hangers. Either way is better than forcing the closure of established local operators.

It would appear that having approved the Economic Development Strategy the Councillors have filed it away and forgotten its high sounding objectives. Maybe they should have actually read it first.

Jim MacKellar

After days of gloomy weather last week we really did hit the jackpot over the weekend. Mild sunny days were a great reminder of why this is a wonderful place to live and that weather is set to continue for most of the coming week too.

If you’re coming to Hervey Bay for the whale watching then be sure to take some time to wander down to the beach.

Scenes like this - taken early yesterday morning - are common around here.

It’s a hard life in Hervey Bay but someone has to do it

These days if a business doesn’t have it’s own website then it is almost certainly losing customers for so many people in Hervey Bay search online for the businesses in town that can provide the services they need.

But now it’s quite possible to go beyond just having a website that provides basic information about your business and two businesses here in Hervey Bay have used the website technology to make it easier for their clients to make an appointment.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Hervey Bay then click the link and you’ll find yourself on the Primere Dental Studio’s website where you can book an appointment for whatever dental service you need.

For car repairs in Hervey Bay click the link and you’ll find yourself on the Total Auto Care website where you can book your car in for a service or repairs using the booking form on the website.

Before long you’ll be seeing other businesses using the Internet to interact with their clients here in Hervey Bay.