Councillors are to determine on Wednesday night whether or not Bathurst Regional Council will sign another memorandum of understanding (MOU), which will cover the period between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2023.

Bathurst has been an Evocities partner since 2010 and the current MOU is due to expire on June 30, 2019.

READ ALSO: Evocities campaign lures more residents to Bathurst

In his report to council, director of Environmental Planning and Building Services, Neil Southorn, said the purpose of the Evocities arrangement is to have the cities involved work together to promote regional lifestyles. 

In addition to Bathurst, Albury, Armidale, Dubbo, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Orange are involved.

The latter, Orange, had actually pulled out of the program in 2016 as it wasn’t convinced of the benefits, but rejoined a little over twelve months later.

READ ALSO: Our say | We’re stronger together as part of Evocities

Should Bathurst councillors support the recommendation to sign a new MOU, the council will contribute $80,000 in the first year.

The contribution will increase by $2000 each year, to cover the cost of inflation, as well as ensure a self-sustaining model for the Evocities campaign by maintaining an aggressive advertising schedule.

“Council’s continued participation in the Evocities campaign ensures we have the opportunity to continue to promote the Bathurst region, its jobs, lifestyle offer and investment opportunities to metropolitan residents,” Mr Southorn said. 

“It also allows council to leverage off the indirect benefits that arise from involvement in this program, which include enhancing and further developing our relationships with the state and federal government and partner councils, to assist us in pursuing our strategic priorities.”

He said it would be unlikely that any subsequent marketing efforts to attract relocators would achieve the same return on investment if Bathurst wasn’t part of the Evocities program.