Tourism contributes significantly to the Murraylands and Riverland region’s economy, accounting for $201M in visitor economy benefits and employing 1,400 locals (SATC 2022). Since the Murray River Flood 2022/23, much of Council’s river infrastructure and tourism assets have been significantly damaged.

Council is committed to rebuilding their economy through tourism infrastructure that will increase productivity and contribute to the overall sustainability and resilience of the Council area and broader region.

Council has received funding towards this project as part of the Australian Government's $400 million Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) designed to strengthen the sustainability, capacity and diversity of Australia’s cities and regions, including through facilitating local partnerships between all levels of government and local communities; through investment in infrastructure and measures that stimulate economic growth.

The rPPP supports both precinct development proposals and the delivery of construction-ready precinct projects.

Council’s aim is to identify tourism assets and create a precinct plan connecting towns and key assets in the Council district.

Key documents developed from this project will include:

Cultural Mapping Assessment Report – identification, recording, and preservation of the cultural assets, traditions, and historical elements that contribute to the identity and significance of the Mid Murray district and broader region.

River Corridor Tourism Masterplan – focussing on river tourism assets/opportunities around short-term mooring space for rivercraft and associated facilities to promote river traffic.

Township Masterplan – development of township precinct masterplans (urban design framework) to provide direction on future asset and infrastructure investment by Council and the community into the visual improvement of open space and public realm in the townships.

Mannum Waterfalls Masterplan - to optimise the recreational and tourism potential of the waterfalls.

Dark-Sky Astro-tourism – undertake the development of a business case for the development of an Observatory/Planetarium within the Dark Sky Reserve.

The project is to be developed and delivered by March 2027.

Council is to invite quotes for the preparation of a district-wide Tourism Precinct Plan that incorporates a feasibility and master planning process for key tourism assets and attractions, and masterplan/s that includes prioritised projects, schedules, costings and implementation plan.

The tender for the project opened late June and scheduled to close 1 August 2025.

Should you wish to be kept informed around the project and the community engagement activity, please register your interest at postbox@mid-murray.sa.gov.au.