Riesling Trail Management Committee

Business Plan

2013-2017

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Vision Statement 4

Mission Statements 4

Stakeholders 5

Objectives 6

Committee Details 7

SWOT Summary 8

Future Directions 10

Commissioned Studies 11

Membership Information 12

Membership Trends 13

Sub-Committee Terms of Reference 14

Sub-Committee Procedures 15

Action Plan 16

Appendix A (Financial Plan)

Appendix B (Constitution)

Introduction

The Clare Valley’s ‘Riesling Trail Management Committee’ (RTMC) is preparing for the

future with this Business Plan.

“The Riesling Trail” ® has become an important part of the Clare Valley and integral to the

region’s appeal, with anecdotal evidence suggesting tourists now visit the area specifically

to utilise the Trail.

A great deal of work has been undertaken by founding members of the RTMC to get the

project to its current state. The success of their work is evidenced by the large number of

tourists, and locals alike, that now use the Riesling Trail on a daily basis.

There is, however, potential for further development of the Riesling Trail. There are both

long-term and short-term goals of the current RTMC, which are documented in this Plan.

Financial sustainability will be a key component to the success of the Riesling Trail in the

future.

The Business Plan outlines the requirements of the RTMC to best serve the Riesling Trail.

It includes Objectives, Vision and Mission Statements, Committee details, membership

information and Future Directions. It also looks at Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities

and Threats (SWOT) of the Riesling Trail.

Sub-committees will be responsible for ‘Actions’, which are based on the Objectives and

are also linked to the SWOT Summary. This Business Plan therefore brings together

factors which need to be considered for RTMC Objectives to be achieved, and for the

Riesling Trail to progress.

‘Actions’ and the Financial Plan (Appendix A) are ‘working documents’, changing

progressively and regularly updated, to accurately represent the current situation.

Vision Statement

The Vision for The Riesling Trail® is:

“To provide the best possible recreational experience

to all users, and to in turn provide significant social

and economic benefits to the Clare Valley, South

Australia and Australia.”

Mission Statement

To achieve the Vision, the following Mission Statement has been derived:

“To provide all stakeholders the opportunity to be a

part of a high quality, world-renowned recreational

trail. Best practice and financial sustainability are

integral components of the management strategy.”

The Stakeholders

The stakeholders for The Riesling Trail® are numerous. The primary stakeholders

are summarised as:

Business Partners

Business Friends

Friends of the Riesling Trail

The Riesling Trail Management Committee (RTMC)

Office for Recreation and Sport (ORS)

Transport SA

Crown Lands

SA Tourism Commission (SATC)

Clare Valley Winemakers Inc.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council

Clare Valley Business and Tourism Association Inc.

Regional Development Australia - Yorke and Mid North

The RTMC, and consequently the stakeholders, seek to derive economic

benefit for the region through the Trail, through increased visitation and

subsequent economic flow-on. Additionally, the trail provides improved

quality of life through the provision of a facility encouraging healthy living

for visitors and residents alike. Sustainability will increase grant funding

opportunities.

Objectives

The major Objective of the Business Plan is to provide a guide for all Committee activities,

to ensure continual development and improvement of The Riesling Trail. Specific

objectives have been nominated as part of the Plan and are referred to in the ‘Action Plan’.

These objectives have been prioritised, and while some Priority B and C objectives may

not be met within the time-line of this Business Plan (2013 – 2017) it is important that they

remain part of the overall vision. Some new actions may also be raised.

Specific objectives are listed below, in no particular order:

Derive an ongoing income and be financially sustainable.

Increase marketing and awareness

Increase membership - ‘Friends of the Riesling Trail’

Develop sponsorship opportunities

Install additional interpretive signage

Explore grant funding opportunities

Update minor amenities

Maintain minor flood-proofing

Develop major flood-proofing

Manage ongoing maintenance/safety issues

Enhance the Trail experiences through public art installations

Develop Lennon Street Trail-head

Develop Barinia Road terminus

Investigate Trail sealing

Extend and increase Loop Trails

Integrate new and existing council amenities

Undertake major capital projects

Liaise with and promote adjacent trails

Committee Details

Name: Clare Valley Riesling Trail Management

Committee

Postal Address: P.O. Box 637

Clare SA 5453

Establishment Date: July, 2000

Current Chairperson: Allan Mayfield

Phone Number: 0418818569

Email: allan@asmayfield.com.au

Current Secretary: Helene Bourne

Phone Number: 88430196

Email: bourne@rbe.net.au

Current Treasurer: Peter Wood

Phone Number: 0411662384

Email: retepdoow@gmail.com

Business Plan Contact: Mark Hill

Phone Number: 0409 678 022

Email: mlpjhill2@bigpond.com

ABN: 82 473 408 036

Incorporation Number: A36390

Period Covered by Plan: 2013 – 2017

SWOT Summary

Strengths

It has been identified that key strengths of The Riesling Trail® are:

Located in the picturesque Clare Valley providing links to popular

tourist areas

A quality surface providing ease of use and accessibility

No cost to use

Established Management Committee

Links to other forms of tourism eg: food & wine industry,

accommodation

Basic infrastructure already in place

Loop trails

Broad appeal and promoting active lifestyle

Link to Mawson and Rattler Trails

Community Support

Well suited for community events

Weaknesses

It has been identified that the key weaknesses of The Riesling Trail® are:

Reliance on Government funding

Lack of development of financial sustainability

Safety and legal issues associated with the Trail

Drainage Points

Road Crossings

Minimal facilities and signage along the Trail

Requires ongoing maintenance

Reliance on volunteers

Infrastructure is at mercy of elements

Opportunities

It has been identified that the key opportunities for The Riesling Trail® are:

Increased membership (Friends of Riesling Trail)

Sponsorship/ advertising dollars

Further development of loops

Links to the main Trail eg. From Clare Country Club, town centre,

Caravan Park

Enhancement of Trail facilities and infrastructure

Sustainable maintenance plan

Further promotion through website, brochures and other publicity

Links to existing facilities, tourism and infrastructure

Links to wineries and other commercial outlets

Increased Community support and awareness

Further development of Artwork along Trail

Activate links with Stakeholders

Promote additional events

Threats

It has been identified that the key threats for The Riesling Trail® are:

Lack of secure funding

Lack of Volunteers in the management of the trail

Inappropriate use of Trail

Local apathy

Loss of integrity of the Trail

Loss of volunteers with past experience

Weather and flood damage

Withdrawal of Council and/or Government support

Governance issues for volunteer committee to deal with

Future Directions

Future plans include:

Bio-diversity – where the aim is to map, manage and

promote bio-diversity to both enhance the existing landscape

and reinforce its varied and diverse character.

Signage - Proposals are made in respect of entry/gateway

(trailhead) signs, information (interpretive) signs, directional

signs and regulatory signs.

Public art – the incorporation of which is seen to be a vital

and creative part of the development.

Facilities – Where the key priorities are noted as shelters,

rainwater tanks, benches, bicycle racks.

Trail mapping – Eight aerial photographs provided detailed

mapping of the Trail between Clare and Auburn. Identified are

the specific locations for landscaping, facilities, public art and

signage.

Implementation – priority developments are identified and

amenity planting recommendations are made.

Commissioned Studies

Further development and maintenance of the Riesling Trail has been guided by a

number of ORS/RTMC commissioned studies. These include the following:

1. Stage 5 Road Safety Audit – Riesling Trail – Clare to Auburn (Mace Engineering

– April 2003)

2. Bridge & Culvert Inspections – Riesling Trail – Clare to Auburn (Mace

Engineering – April 2003)

3. Riesling Trail Extension Feasibility Study (Transplan Pty. Ltd./Mike Halliburton

Associates – December 2005)

4. Condition Assessment – Riesling Trail – Clare to Auburn (Mace Engineering –

May 2007)

5. Condition Assessment Review – Riesling Trail – Clare to Auburn (Mace

Engineering – November 2007)

6. Riesling Trail Signage Report (Northern & Western Region, Transport Services

Division, DTEI – 2008)

7. Native Vegetation Conservation and Management Issues along the Riesling Trail

Extension:- Lennon Street to Hubbe Road Clare (Northern & Yorke Region, DEH –

September 2008)

Membership Information as at 2012

Number of Committee members

11 (including 2 proxies)

List of ‘Friends of Riesling Trail’

Categories:

Individual, Business, Honorary

Number of Individual ‘Friends’.

56

Number of Business ‘Friends’.

27

Number of Honorary ‘Friends’.

5

Official events/functions

Clare Valley Half Marathon, Bike SA, School

Walk-a-thons, Geo-caching, Million Paws Walk.

Membership Trends

Historical

Category 2012 2011 2010

Individual 56 54 47

Business 27 27 27

Honorary 5 5 4

Sponsors 0 0 0

Total 88 86 78

Future Projection

Category 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Friends-

Individual

70

80

Lifelong 30 35

Honorary 5 5

Business

Partners *

5 10

Business

Friends*

10 15

Total 120 145

*Subject to implementation

Sub-Committee ‘Terms of Reference’

Scope

These terms of reference and procedures apply to Sub-Committees of the Riesling Trail

Management Committee. The following five sub-committees will be named:

Marketing

Maintenance

Amenities and Signage

Art

Loop Trails

Purpose

Sub-committees will provide the RTMC with specific groups of like-minded and motivated people

willing to undertake dedicated project work, based on objectives as listed in the Action Plan

component of the Business Plan. With approval of the RTMC, sub-committees may in some cases,

derive and achieve additional objectives, which will be integrated into the Action Plan.

Composition

Sub-Committees will consist of a Chair, who will be selected from the RTMC of the day, as well as

interested members of the Community, preferably a ‘Friend of the Riesling Trail’.

Nomination of a Sub-Committee

Sub-Committees will be formed at each Annual General Meeting of the RTMC, although members

of the sub-committee may join or stand-down at any time as required.

Sub-Committee Procedures

Frequency of meetings

One or more sub-committee meetings may be held alternately with a RTMC committee meeting.

Agenda

Items for discussion should be communicated to the sub-committee Chairman prior to the meeting.

Minutes

Minute taking may be shared by members of the sub-committee, but in any case must be taken and

as soon as possible circulated to the RTMC for approval. The Chair of the Sub-committee present at

the RTMC should if appropriate, acknowledge that the minutes presented are a true and accurate

record.

Review

A yearly review of each Sub-Committee will take place by the RTMC to assess progress and

suggest changes if necessary.

Common Purpose

There may be occasions where more than one sub-committee wishes to deal with a common issue.

In these cases the RTMC will decide which committee is given the responsibility for such tasks.

Media

Any issues arising at Sub-Committee level relating to media must be approved by the RTMC.

Action Plans

Although prioritised, these Actions are in no particular order. They may be undertaken at varying

times at the discretion of the Committee, although ‘Priority A’ objectives must take priority over ‘B’

and ‘C’. Five sub-committees will be formed and take ownership of the objective for which they

have responsibility. Terms of Reference will guide sub-committee protocol.

Objective

(What are we going

to do)

Project Tasks

(What are the main tasks

involved)

Action

(How are we going to achieve

this)

Sub-

Committee

Timeframe

(When will

this be done)

Resources

($)

Priority

(A,B,C)

Increase marketing

and awareness

Newspaper Editorials.

‘Along the Riesling Trail’

newsletter.

Activate links with major

stakeholders and ‘tap into’

existing publications.

Maintain the current website.

Develop a motto and logo.

Appoint a Publicity Officer and

Sub-Committee to initiate and

manage the Project Tasks.

Engage social media such as

‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’.

Marketing

ASAP

A

Increase ‘Friends of

the Riesling Trail’

Increase availability of

Application Forms and

awareness of ‘Friends of the

Riesling Trail’.

Strategic placement and targeting

user groups (eg. Clare Walking

Group, Valleys Lifestyle Centre,

trail users) through brochure

holders and portable sandwich

board.

Marketing

ASAP–

ongoing.

$600 A

Develop

sponsorship

opportunities

Design sponsorship guidelines.

Develop advertising packages.

Approach potential sponsors/

advertisers.

Brainstorm ideas.

Form a specific sponsorship work-

group to undertake Project Tasks.

Marketing

ASAP

A

Install additional

interpretive signage.

Identify required signage.

Obtain designs/quotes.

Installation of signage.

Brainstorm at sub-committee level

the additional signage required.

Work in conjunction with sign

Amenities

and Signage

Discretion of

sub-

committee.

Commissio

ned Study

No. 6

A

Objective

(What are we going

to do)

Project Tasks

(What are the main tasks

involved)

Action

(How are we going to achieve

this)

Sub-

Committee

Timeframe

(When will

this be done)

Resources

($)

Priority

(A,B,C)

writer.

Explore grant

funding

opportunities.

Apply for grants.

Obtain grant funding.

Identify a person conversant with

applying for grants.

Work with relevant stakeholders,

internet and other sources for

grant funding.

All sub-

committees

relative to

specific

objectives

ASAP Internet,

local

council

A

Update minor

amenities.

Identify required works.

Consult wider community and

obtain feedback.

Considering available funding,

utilise volunteer groups and

working bees.

Maintenance Discretion of

sub-

committee

Commissio

ned Study

No. 2

B

Maintain minor

flood-proofing.

Conduct flood damage audit.

Engage local contractors and

volunteers to undertake

earthworks etc.

Manual inspection, particularly

after heavy rain to identify

potential problem areas.

Maintenance Immediately

after heavy

rain.

Commissio

ned Study

No. 4

A

Manage ongoing

maintenance/safety

issues.

Develop a maintenance plan.

Hold working-bees as required.

Discuss at Committee level.

Co-ordinate ‘Friends of Riesling

Trail’ volunteer base.

Register with Volunteer Resource

Centre at Library.

Maintenance ASAP Commissio

ned Study

No. 5 &

Commissio

ned Study

No. 7

B

Develop Lennon

Street Trailhead.

Seek quotes. Obtain funding.

Consider in-kind or volunteer

labour. Engage contractors.

Work with local council. Appoint

RTMC ‘project manager’.

Amenities &

signage

ASAP A

Enhance Trail ‘Sheep project’ Identify person responsible for Art Current A

Objective

(What are we going

to do)

Project Tasks

(What are the main tasks

involved)

Action

(How are we going to achieve

this)

Sub-

Committee

Timeframe

(When will

this be done)

Resources

($)

Priority

(A,B,C)

experiences through

public art

installations.

Work with and progress

‘Auburn vision’.

driving specific projects. Continue

to obtain funding.

Develop major

flood-proofing.

Undertake an extensive flood-

proofing audit of the whole trail

to identify problem areas.

Obtain adequate funding to

undertake required works.

Engage local contractors.

Co-ordinate project tasks at

committee level.

Consider consulting Engineers.

Maintenance Before next

major

flooding!

unknown B

Investigate Trail

sealing

Seal the trail surface, possibly

in two stages

Consult engineers/ contractors/

council etc. Obtain necessary

funding. Engage contractors.

Amenities &

signage

Long-term $400,000? C

Extend and increase

loop trails.

Explore new loop trails,

particularly in Clare township

and incorporating wineries and

food outlets. Consider degrees

of difficulty for each trail.

Collaborate with other groups

such as Clare Valley Alliance/

Brand Strategy and SATC

Loops

Commissio

ned Study

No. 3

B

Integrate new and

existing council

amenities.

Improve access and signage to

incorporate existing council

amenities, such as access

routes, toilets and popular

destinations.

Explore funding opportunities.

Conduct audit of trail to identify

these areas. Eg. Visitor centre,

caravan park, Country Club,

Melrose Park. Refer to installing

Loops Discretion of

Committee

depending on

funding.

Commissio

ned Study

No. 1

B

Objective

(What are we going

to do)

Project Tasks

(What are the main tasks

involved)

Action

(How are we going to achieve

this)

Sub-

Committee

Timeframe

(When will

this be done)

Resources

($)

Priority

(A,B,C)

additional interpretive signage.

Undertake major

capital projects.

Toilets

Shelters

Picnic areas

Rainwater tanks

Obtain funding for specific

projects as identified by

committee on priority basis.

Amenities &

signage

Long-term or

as desired,

depending on

funding.

Unknown C

Liaise with and

promote adjacent

trails.

Act in a consultancy function.

Contact Rattler Trail and Shamus

Liptrot Trail management.

Loop On demand

and as

required.

C

Develop Barinia

Road terminus

Further develop Barinia Road

shelter/ picnic/ carpark area.

Plan at committee level depending

on demand and other priorities

Amenities &

Signage

Long-term Unknown

depending

on extent

C

Objective

(What are we going

to do)

Project Tasks

(What are the main tasks

involved)

Action

(How are we going to achieve

this)

Sub-

Committee

Timeframe

(When will

this be done)

Resources

($)

Priority

(A,B,C)