A unanimous decision was voted by Armidale Dumaresq Councillors, at the January 30 council meeting, to keep the Visitors Information Centre in its current location. This decision has been welcomed by the Armidale community who fervently expressed their concern for council’s proposed plan to scale down Visitor Information Services and potentially relocate to another location.
The Review of Delivery of Information Services includes seven actions voted on by Councillors.
1. That Council retains the Visitors Information Centre (VIC) in its current location with one staff member on duty supported by volunteers.
2. That Council develops a strategy to increase volunteer numbers for the VIC, develop a training plan and provide a uniform.
3. That Council calls for Expressions of interest for the leasing of an area of the VIC for a café.
4. That Council looks to place local products and other merchandise on display at the VIC with online ordering facilities.
5. That Management prepares a report and recommendation to Council on the operational layout of the building and refurbishment of the VIC in consultation with Council’s tourism committee and volunteers.
6. That Council supports the use of online booking facilities, with smaller operators’ contact details being listed on the tourism website next to the online booking link.
7. That management prepares a report to Council on the use of satellite technology / information kiosk for Armidale Regional Airport.
Owner of local business, Quadrant Australia, and member of the Tourism Advisory Committee, Peter Lloyd, who was one of many community members opposing Council’s plans for the VIC, is pleased that Council has listened to the Armidale community and taken the common sense approach to Visitor Information Services in the region.
“Common sense has prevailed, however the next step for the VIC is a proper staffing structure and refurbishment of the building which I believe is a high priority,” Mr Lloyd said.
“There can certainly be much better use of the space to increase the commercial opportunities.
“Unquestionably the overwhelming public out-cry had a major impact on its final decision. It is a pity that council hadn’t gone through a more thorough thought process before it did this.
“A lot of very experienced people were not consulted.”
Story: Jo Harrison
