BATHURST Regional Council is being urged to increase its promotion of the city's museums to help attract visitors and in turn boost business patronage.
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The calls are being led by Bathurst businessman Peter Rogers, who is also a benefactor of the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum.
He said it all started with the draft master plan for the Bathurst central business district, which he has called "over the top" and prompted him to pound the pavement to see what businesses thought of the plan.
"What I found out was a real shock. There are about 70 empty shops in the CBD now, with a lot more to come once Job Keeper ends," Mr Rogers said.
"The CBD is in trouble. We need more visitors/shoppers."
Mr Rogers believes the key to doing this is to better promote Bathurst, starting with the city's museums, which he says are running at "huge losses".
He cited figures from council, which reported the fossil museum, Chifley Home, the historical museum, National Motor Racing Museum and Bathurst Rail Museum as costing council a combined $1.46 million a year because their operating expenditure far outweighs their operating revenue.
In order to kickstart the promotion, a second benefactor of the fossil museum, Dale Ridderford, has purchased and donated three new fibreglass dinosaurs to the city.
It is hoped they can be placed at the museum or at the visitor information centre to generate interest in the museums.
Mr Ridderford has also brought Chris Michaels, a part-owner of Canberra's National Dinosaur Museum, into the conversation.
Mr Michaels said his museum makes "huge profits" and he is willing to meet with council to offer advice on how Bathurst museums can do the same.
Mayor Bobby Bourke, who accepted the donation, said he did agree with Mr Rogers and Mr Ridderford that more promotion was needed.
"I do agree with Peter and I think council are, they are now listening to the community in the way we promote our town, and I think we need to continue that," he said.
"We've got to continue to attract tourists right across NSW. They are flocking out to the Central West and regional NSW and we need some of those people to stop here."
Council's general manager David Sherley also responded to Mr Rogers' comments.
"Council has developed and operates a suite of cultural facilities as it has identified the value of creating a culturally vibrant city that enhances liveability for our residents and to add to the visitor experience for tourists. It is part of Bathurst's point of difference as a thriving regional city that we offer a diverse range of museums and gallery," he said.
"All of the financial figures for council's facilities are reported annually through our annual operating plan and the annual reporting process. While there is a cost to operating the museums and gallery, that is far outweighed by the ongoing benefit of these cultural facilities to local businesses, residents and visitors.
"Council is also always looking at ways to improve revenue streams and reduce costs in its operations.
"Council's investment in these areas is a key component in meeting our aims and objectives of the Community Strategic Plan Bathurst 2040, and in particular the strategy to enhance the cultural vitality of the region.
"It is also important to note, that this year, council has invested heavily in assisting the community recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
"Through five mayoral minutes the council has provided a range of incentives to assist local businesses, the arts, sporting groups and community organisations. These initiatives are in addition to council's ongoing commitments to economic develop and tourism promotion."
