$33,000 Boost: Texas Men's Shed demonstrates visitor value
Published on 31 July 2025
A single idea from a Texas Men’s Shed volunteer has shed insight into the pivotal role visitors play in the local economy, with receipts left by campers at the Dumaresq River free campsite showing over $33,000 spent at businesses in Texas in 2024.
Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region, the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM, holds Council’s Tourism portfolio and said that as the free camping site in Texas becomes increasingly popular with visitors, it also becomes increasingly beneficial to local businesses.
The Texas Men’s Shed has encouraged visitors to leave their receipts from within the Goondiwindi Region to establish the impact of visitor spend on local businesses.
“The docket-collecting has been an eye-opener,” said Mary Belford, Treasurer of the Texas Men’s Shed committee.
The receipts left by visitors from January to December 2024 totalled $33,289.47, with the most popular businesses including grocery stores, fuel stations and the local pub. The total spending by all campers and other visitors in the town is likely to be much more.
In 2023-24, the total tourism sales in the Goondiwindi Region topped $72 million.
Goondiwindi Regional Council is proud to support the visitor economy in Texas, having previously purchased the land for the Texas Dumaresq River Rest Area and invested in the construction of a pedestrian walkway connecting the free camping area with the Texas CBD, further encouraging easy visits to local businesses.
The Texas Dumaresq River Rest Area is a popular overnight spot for visitors to park up while travelling through the Goondiwindi Region, with plenty of riverfront grassy sites and a popular local fishing spot.
“We sometimes get a nice note or two about the camp at the river,” Ms Belford said. “We know by the postcodes, visitors come from Mackay down to Tasmania. Some keep returning as they like the friendly people and the lovely spot on the river,” continued Mrs Belford.
“Tourism works best when we work together,” stated Mayor Springborg. “By partnering with local groups, we’re helping create welcoming spaces that encourage visitors to stay longer, support local businesses, and experience the true character of our region. We sincerely thank the Texas Men’s Shed for their volunteer work in collating all of the docket information”.