Achievements Financial Year 2024/2025
Discovery Coast Tourism & Commerce (DCTC) is proud to champion sustainable tourism, support local business, and foster strong community connections. Since becoming an incorporated body in 2000, DCTC has played a key role in driving initiatives that benefit the Discovery Coast.
Events & Economic Impact
- Successfully delivered the 1770 Festival 2025,
- with a record 4,668 attendees,
- contributing an economic stimulus of $953,643 to the region.
- Delivered the Agnes Blues, Rock & Roots Festival 2025,
- attracting 1,580 attendees,
- generating 3,795 direct visitor nights,
- contributing an economic stimulus of $831,442 to the region.
- Financially sponsored the 2024 and 2025 Australian PGA Legends 9 Hole Championship Pro Am.
- Supported live music programming across member venues during summer.
Business & Community Engagement
- Appointed Alistair Tavares as DCTC’s first-ever General Manager to lead strategic advocacy, drive sustainable economic development, and champion improved access and infrastructure for the Discovery Coast region.
- Hosted 7 member events,
- 2 Member Networking Events to foster connection and collaboration.
- 5 General Meetings with strong member participation.
- Advocate for the region via the Business Pulse Survey, 85 local businesses responded helping guide regional priorities.
- Collaborated with local community groups to help raise a total of $16,656.42 in fundraising efforts.
Digital Growth & Marketing Reach
Total Digital Reach: 1 Million + Digital Impressions
Funding & Advocacy
- Deputation to Gladstone Regional Council, Councillors Information Session.
- Successfully secured $122,793.70 in grant funding from local, state and federal sources to support events and regional development.
Systems & Operations Improvements
- Implemented a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to streamline communications and data.
- Launched a new live chat function on VisitAgnes1770.com to support visitor engagement and conversion.
- Rolled out a new events listing system on the website for better visibility and management.
Significant Past Achievements
- Successfully staged the Agnes Water & 1770 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay event in March 2018
- DCTC was instrumental with the bike path extension to connect our twin towns and provide safer pedestrian and cyclist passage
- Successful grant applications and project management to achieve construction of the permanent Stage and green room at the SES Grounds
- SES Grounds permanent lighting and permanent water access requests by DCTC resulted in both projects being completed by GRC for all who use the grounds
- DCTC is proud to have been the umbrella organisation for the steering committee that established the Bendigo Community Bank in Agnes Water
- DCTC called Miriam Vale Shire Councillors to a special meeting to overturn their decision not to provide funding for the 1770 Foreshore development. Consequently, over $1m from State and Local Government created the tastefully designed foreshore that today enhances the visual beauty of 1770 for visitors.