AFTER years in the pipelines, two of the Maranoa’s most powerful organisations have merged to form a new tourism and commerce advocacy group.

Visit Roma and Commerce Roma voted to amalgamate in their special meetings held on November 26, and community leaders are hoping this will provide a more powerful voice to promote Roma’s business and tourism interests.

All members of both groups, barring one, voted in favour of the proposal and an interim committee has been established.

President of the new Roma Commerce and Tourism Incorporated (RCAT) group Charlie Eames said the merger will mean a more cohesive and united voice for the region and industry.

“We have a lot of members who were members of both organisations,” Mr Eames said.

Vice-President and former Roma Commerce president Cyril Peet said merging both groups will create a bigger force for change in the region.

“I think it’s time for a change too,” Mr Peet said.

Mr Eames and Mr Peet said the group will work with all three levels of government and private industry to advocate for the Maranoa’s economic interests.

The meeting’s honorary chair and Maranoa councillor Cameron O’Neil told the table that this was a “monumental step” for both Commerce Roma and Visit Roma.

“It’s a really big step and one the organisations needed to take,” he said.

“I am very honoured to play just a small part.”

Mr O’Neil, who was a former Commerce Roma president, said it’s very important to have groups that advocate what community members are pushing for.

“We need really strong advocacy on how to drive this economy into the future,” Mr O’Neil said.

“I take real comfort in having the leadership of Charlie and Cyril and Ray of bringing the voices of business and the community.”

Speaking for himself as a councillor, he said he’ll work very closely with RCAT in his duties of representing the community.

The committee positions are filled by:

President - Charlie Eames

Vice President - Cyril Peet and Ray Howson

Secretary - Camille Johnson

Treasurer - Paul Schutt

Committee member - Meryl Eddie

Two committee positions remain vacant