City gets Comm Games tourism chief

THE City of Ballarat has appointed a director for a newly-established role aimed at maximising tourism during the Commonwealth Games.

The new role, titled director of economy, experience and Commonwealth Games, has been filled tourism professional Martin Darcy who’ll start in June.

City of Ballarat CEO, Evan King, announced the appointment on Tuesday and said Mr Darcy is well-qualified to take on the role.

“Martin brings over 25 years of management experience across Federal, state and local government sectors, as well as experience as a tourism business owner,” he said.

“I believe Martin has the ideal mix of private and public sector experience to lead the City of Ballarat’s newly formed business unit Economy, Experience and Commonwealth Games.

“A key focus of this role will be driving reactivation, ongoing attraction and investment into Ballarat while also ensuring the Commonwealth Games provides a lasting legacy for our community.”

Mr Darcy previously ran tourism business Discovery Ecotours Australia for more than a decade before becoming the tourism engagement manager for the New South Wales State Government.

From there, Mr Darcy led the Great Eastern Ranges conservation initiative before becoming assistant director of Parks Victoria.

He was appointed the manager of business and innovation at Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council in 2015 and has been chair of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation Economic Development Working Group for the past seven years.

The adoption of the Economy, Experience and Commonwealth Games department was the municipality’s first structural change since late 2021.

Mr King said the aim of the department is to ensure Ballarat benefits from the Commonwealth Games long after the event is over.

“The structural realignment will deliver greater long-term benefits for our community and ensure the Commonwealth Games provides us with a lasting legacy,” he said.