He presented his remarks to the Economic Development Committee, which included councillors John Stafford, Richard Opie, John Searl and economic development officer Brenda Proudman, on Tuesday.

The committee hopes to bridge the gap between the council and local companies, and stay connected.

Mr Carroll is director of the Tea Guild of Australia, a leading provider of tea education and culture. “This really very small company is actually quite big in the tea world,” he said. 

The guild’s premises at The Tea House & Gallery on Goulburn Street is already attracting interest from China and South Korea. “The Tea Guild has entered an agreement with the Puruncha Culture Institute of South Korea to be their representative in Australia, to promote Korean tea culture,” Mr Carroll said. “This has resulted in a relationship being formed... and in bringing Korean nationals visiting Australia to Crookwell.” The guild also recently entered into a joint cooperation agreement to provide tea education in China to English-speakers, which could increase Chinese tourism in the shire.

Earlier this year, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the State Government would work with industry to reach an ambitious target of $20 billion in visitor expenditure in rural and regional NSW by 2025, rising to $25 billion by 2030. “A tourism target for rural and regional NSW is our commitment to local operators, businesses, pubs, cafes and hotels – from the coast to the bush – that the NSW Government will ensure everyone gets a fair share of the State’s tourism boom,” he said.

This included more funding for marketing campaigns, more rural and regional events, improved tourism infrastructure, and addressing skills shortages in the tourism/hospitality sectors.