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: [email protected]
Current Secretary: Helene Bourne
Phone Number: 88430196
Email: [email protected]
Current Treasurer: Peter Wood
Phone Number: 0411662384
Email: [email protected]
Business Plan Contact: Mark Hill
Phone Number: 0409 678 022
Email: [email protected]
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)
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