I refer to the number of letters to the editor regarding Armidale Dumaresq Council’s review of the delivery of tourist information services.
Council is looking at a number of options for the delivery of tourist information services into the future. Council management have been requested to undertake an analysis of the options for elected Councillors’ consideration and consult with potential partners to explore what is possible.
I want to make it clear that Council has not made a final decision on any option and will not do so until consideration of all the options and subsequent community consultation. I know that people have been critical of a lack of transparency on this issue; however, until management has undertaken the analysis and reported back to the Councillors with the details, there is nothing to consult the community on. This work is still being undertaken.
One of the options so far reported has been the suggestion of moving the face to face tourist information services to NERAM. This option has unfortunately been leaked prematurely in the media, prior to Council being able to undertake analysis of all the options. This option, which could save $200,000 annually, was identified. As NERAM is viewed by many as the city’s premier tourist attraction, and in consideration of the proposed sustainability projects that are being developed in and around NERAM, this option was thought to be a longer term solution.
The review of tourism information services has been prompted by a number of issues such as changing trends of service demand and delivery; however, predominantly as a result of the review by Council across all its operations to identify $860,000 in savings. Savings are required to fund the new Community Strategic Plan created by the community, without the need for an eight per cent rate increase. Tourism cannot be isolated from this review. The new Community Strategic Plan includes the product of the 10 year Economic Development and Tourism plans, which will see annual allocations of $500,000 to fund their implementation. If the savings are not identified, then there is a real risk of these plans not being implemented. Therefore, it is a matter of reassigning priorities within Council’s budgets, which would see greater investment in marketing in order to attract people to Armidale. Face to face services will be retained no matter which option is ultimately selected.
I would recommend that concerned citizens wait until Council has fully developed all the options. Then Council can decide a position or options to take to the community for comment, prior to making a final decision.
Shane Burns,
General Manager, Armidale Dumaresq Council
