Wine Tourism Regions APPLICATION FORM. Ref:

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1 APPLICATION FORM Ref: Wine Tourism Regions 1. Background Tourist Signs in NSW Tourist signs in Australia have a white legend on a brown background and are installed to assist road users in locating major tourist attractions and destinations. Road users who rely on these signs must be assured of the quality of the product and service they are likely to receive at their destination. The visitor experience is therefore the primary consideration when determining eligibility for tourist signage. To maintain road users confidence in tourist signage for major tourist attractions and destinations, it is important that any signposted location or precinct must meet a minimum standard and offer a minimum range of tourist services. The eligibility criteria used to assess applications for tourist signposting have been developed through extensive industry consultation and aim to reflect industry standards for major tourist attractions. The eligibility criteria are contained in the NSW Tourist Signposting Manual (available on line at which forms the basis of all decisions regarding tourist signposting in NSW. Applications for tourist signs on State roads in NSW are assessed by the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee (TASAC). TASAC is a group formed by the NSW State Government to have overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of tourist signposting systems in New South Wales. TASAC is made up of representatives of Destination New South Wales, the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), Destination Networks (DNs) and a Secretariat. The RMS is responsible for authorising and erecting signs on State roads. These include all highways and many other major classified roads. Local councils are responsible for installing signs on regional roads (the rest of the classified road network) and are wholly responsible for local roads. The Tourist Signposting Manual is applicable on regional and State roads. It is important to understand the following: (i) (ii) (iii) Signs for eligible attractions will only be provided where there is available space in the road reserve. In other words, a major tourist attraction or destination that meets all the signposting criteria might not receive white on brown signs because the road network has no capacity for any more signs. Signs will only be erected on State roads where the local council agrees to similar signs (where necessary) being erected on their road network, so that road users can be easily directed to tourist attractions and destinations once they leave the highway. Operators are required to pay for the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance and, where necessary, the removal of signs. Page 1 of

2 2. Tourism Product Categories There is a range of tourism product of major interest to road users, which exists at a much broader level than individual tourist attractions such as galleries, museums, wineries etc. These are clusters of tourist attractions that fit into a shared theme. This type of tourist destination falls into a number of broad categories which are distinct in form and character from one another (such as wine tourism regions, historic towns, seaside towns), but which are nonetheless integral components of the tourist attraction sector. Because of their differing characteristics, each category has its own set of specific criteria for signposting. This Application Form is the relevant form if your product fits within the Wine Tourism Regions category. If you are uncertain about which category your attraction falls into, you should contact the TASAC Secretariat (details below) for advice. Please read the attached Application Form carefully and complete both sections. Your application will be assessed based on the information you provide. Conflicting or inadequate information will lead to delays in processing and any omissions may result in TASAC being unable to make a decision on your application. 3. Rationale for Signposting Criteria Wine Tourism Regions New South Wales is a leading wine producer and its wineries have an enviable reputation for quality and as popular destinations for tourists. From its origins in the traditional grape growing areas in the Hunter Valley, the wine industry now spreads to encompass newer districts in many parts of the State, including the north and south coasts and inland localities. Individual wineries within a district comprising concentrations of wineries should apply as a group for regional signposting. An increasing number of regional associations of wineries are seeking such tourism signage treatment for their district. For the purposes of tourist signposting, such an area is known as a wine tourism region. Recognised wine tourism regions - where there is such a concentration of wineries that each winery cannot adequately be served by individual signs on the road network - can benefit from a regional signposting strategy. The Tourist Signposting Manual contains detailed standards for such wine region signage. TASAC recognises that most wineries are managed and operated along commercial production lines and that the tourist component of the business may not be the most lucrative aspect. Consequently, the Destination Networks, NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW WIA) or local tourism managers may be needed to assist in assessment. Where any doubt exists regarding a signage application for a wine tourism region, TASAC must consider whether the reasonable expectation of a visitor will be met when visiting the region and will make a decision on these grounds. PLEASE NOTE: If a regional signposting scheme for your wine region is introduced, all other individual winery signs on State or regional roads may need to be removed or replaced, without any compensation to the individual winery operators who have previously paid to have their signs erected. The applicant for regional signage should ensure that any individual wineries with existing individual signs in their region are aware that these signs might need to be removed if and when the region wide signage treatment proceeds. Page 2 of 9

3 4. Completing the Application Form To be favourably considered for tourist signposting, applicants must demonstrate that their tourist destination meets all the relevant criteria. Please provide as much detail as possible, including documentary evidence such as photographs and supporting material such as copies of leaflets and brochures. Generally, simple Yes/No answers are insufficient. Do not be limited by the space provided on the application form and attach additional pages as required. To support your application and highlight how you meet the criteria please include samples of the following: brochures advertising material descriptions of the services you offer interpretive information provided to visitors your web address if you have one photographs of attractions (interior and exterior) relevant to your product any other material/information that will provide a complete picture of the tourism experience your attraction offers. You are encouraged to consult with the TASAC Secretariat prior to completing your application to ensure that all the necessary material is submitted. Please refer also to the Destination NSW website ( com.au/tasac) which contains information to assist you in preparing your application. When all the relevant sections of the Application Form have been completed, and supporting information attached, please send it to the TASAC Secretariat. Please contact the TASAC Secretariat for any further information regarding the application process: TASAC Secretariat Tourism Foundry Contact is Tom Urban PO Box 456, Artarmon, NSW, 1570 Ph: TASAC@tourismfoundry.com.au OR TASAC@dnsw.com.au Please note that in addition to the written application, TASAC and/or their representatives will generally conduct a site inspection or visit. This is done to fully assess the application and to ensure the service provision meets visitor requirements. Page 3 of 9

4 5. Assessment of your application Applications for tourist signs in NSW are assessed by TASAC. The Committee meets monthly, and your application will be considered at the first meeting after it is received. The time will vary depending upon when in the meeting cycle your application is received and whether or not TASAC requires more information regarding your business, services, etc before a decision is made. Applications assessed as eligible for signposting are then referred to the RMS who will determine where the signs can be placed. The signs will then need to be designed and installed. It is important to note that in some cases it might not be possible to install signs, due to local circumstances. Notwithstanding a wine tourism region satisfying all the requirements to be eligible for a sign, a site within the road reserve needs to be available for any sign to be installed. If no site is available no sign can be installed. Should your application proceed to this stage the RMS will advise you in this respect. Page 4 of 9

5 SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION Name of Attraction (this will form the basis of the wording on the sign(s), if eligible): Street Address of Attraction (please attach a map showing where it is located): Local Government Authority Area: Proprietor / Owner/ Applicants Name: Name of Key Contact (if different from above): Position Title: Postal address for correspondence (if different from address): Ph: Fax: Page 5 of 9

6 Conditions If your tourism product qualifies for white on brown signposting, it is your responsibility, as the applicant, to ensure it continues to comply with the criteria for your product category. If your product is found to no longer comply with the criteria the RMS will remove the sign at your expense. Therefore, after you are granted a sign you will need to regularly review your product against the criteria to ensure you still comply with them. All tourist signposting is provided on this basis. It is therefore a requirement that applicants indicate they accept this condition as part of their application. All approvals are granted for a 5 year period. After this period you will be contacted by TASAC and ask to demonstrate how your product still qualifies for signage. The RMS has an electronic database of all guide signs including tourist signs erected on the State road network in New South Wales. This database provides ready access to TASAC to ensure it conforms with the Tourist Signposting Manual for tourist signposting. TASAC assumes that the product has all the approvals, licenses and insurances necessary to legally operate. A signature below confirms that the information provided in all parts of the application is true and accurate, and that the above conditions have been read, understood and are agreed to by the applicant. Please sign here: Name: Date: Please note unless digital signature can be applied please mail or scan and this page to the TASAC secretariat Page 6 of 9

7 SECTION B: SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR WINE TOURISM REGIONS This section is to be completed where a region is seeking signposting as a Wine Tourism Region. To be eligible the region must meet all of the following criteria: Recognised by the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW WIA) and identified with a regional name. Occupied by a critical mass of wineries eligible for tourist signpsoting, with at least 6 wineries open for 6 hours on any given day of the week, including both days of the weekend. Promoted as a wine tourism region. It is essential that the region has brochures / maps available at member wineries and all Accredited Visitor Information Centres within the region. Whilst individual wineries must be eligible as a major tourist attraction to qualify for tourist signs on State or regional roads, on local roads wineries within recognised wine tourism regions do not have to meet all the criteria. They must, however, provide: a tasting facility for wines made by or for the winery, cellar door sales, and public toilets on the premises. These wineries will not be signposted from State or regional roads but may only be signposted on the local road network at the discretion of the relevant local council. NOTE: THE HELP NOTES AT THE BACK OF THIS FORM WILL ASSIST YOU TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION. PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY AS YOU ANSWER EACH QUESTION. 1. What is the regional name by which the Wine Tourism Region is known? (Please see Note 1 ) 2. Please attach letters of support from the Wine Industry Association which indicate their recognition of the wine tourism region and support for signposting. Please see Note 2 Page 7 of 9

8 3a. How many wineries are within the Wine Tourism Region? 3b. Please provide a list of the wineries in the region and their opening hours/days. (Please see Note 3 ) 3c. How many wineries in the region qualify as major tourist attractions? (Please see Note 4 ) 4. Please provide copies and/or photographs of promotional material, maps, brochures, web sites etc used to promote the region and guide visitors through it. (Please see Note 5 ) 5a. Does the region have promotional material available at the nearest accredited visitor information centre (AVIC)? (Please see Note 6 ) Yes (go to 5b) No 5b. If yes, at which AVIC(s) is the promotional material available? 5c. Please outline any other locations in which the promotional material is available, how it is distributed and how frequently it is updated. Page 8 of 9

9 NOTES 1. Regional Name A wine tourism region is a district comprising concentrations of wineries characterising the area. The region must be promoted as a winegrowing region, with a regional name. Please provide examples of supporting material such as a current brochure, web site details etc to demonstrate that the region identifies itself as a recognised winegrowing district. 2. Recognised by the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW WIA) The NSW Wine Industry Association is the peak industry group that represents regional wine associations in the State as well as individual wineries and grapegrowers. Your region will have to be recognised as an official Wine Tourism Region as declared by NSW WIA. This can be provided by way of a letter from the WIA or other written verification. 3. Number of wineries in Wine Tourism Region There should be a critical mass of wineries eligible for signposting within the region, with at least 6 wineries open for 6 hours a day on any given day of the week, including both days of the weekend. This is to provide a genuine tourist experience to road users for a whole day and to ensure that their reasonable expectation will be met when they visit the district. You can list the wineries on the form or on an attached sheet, or provide a copy of the wine region brochure, if it contains the required information about opening hours of all wineries in the region. 4. Eligibility criteria for individual wineries and Tourist signposting criteria for individual wineries are contained in the Tourist Signposting Manual, and can be applied for under a separate application form for Wineries. Individual wineries are considered eligible for tourist signposting if they meet the following criteria: They are well established in their present form They are open for at least: 5 days per week (including both weekend days); 6 hours per day; and 11 months of the year. They must display their opening hours and days at public entrance points on the property boundary No pre-booking is necessary They have an up to date brochure showing opening hours and days There are adequate car parking facilities and publicly accessible toilets The winery must offer wine for tasting. The winery must have available material that is of educational value. Staff must have adequate training/ knowledge of the winemaking process. The winery must make wine at the premises, OR where the winery is not located at the premises offering the tasting facility, the tasting facility must be located adjacent to the vineyard which grows the grapes from which the wine being tasted is made. 5. Copies of promotional material To be eligible for tourist signage, the wine tourism region must have available a current brochure that indicates its wineries opening hours, days and any seasonal variations in opening times. Wine tourism regions that do not have a brochure with wineries opening hours published on it, will NOT be eligible for this signage treatment. It is also desirable that the brochure includes a map showing the general location of the region and its individual wineries, their contact details (eg. phone numbers, addresses and websites) and some brief details about the story of winemaking/ grape growing in the region. Providing examples of advertisements promoting your region (eg in the local visitor s guide) is also useful but not a substitute for a current brochure. The applicant must provide copies of appropriate brochures, maps, web site details etc available for visitors to demonstrate that the region is promoted as a recognised wine tourism region. The opening hours and days of wineries in the region must be reflected on the various regional collateral and website(s). 6. Promotional material distribution etc Promotional material must be available at the nearest Accredited Visitor Information Centre and at all wineries included in the application. Other venues that might display such material may be the local council, local library, other local tourist destinations, accommodation venues and retail outlets (eg newsagents, cafes etc). Page 9 of 9