I write in response to a letter on September 7, from the General Manager of Armidale Dumaresq Council. Mr Shane Burns writes of management’s proposal to relocate the Visitors Information Centre from its present site to another area of the city. As a former Mayor of Armidale City, I note Mr Burns’ comments with dismay.
For many years preceding my election as mayor, there had been a great desire and pressure from ratepayers to see established a central bus and coach depot together with public toilets and a visitors’ centre. This facility would provide adequate parking for caravans etc and hopefully a cafe or restaurant. The present centre, somewhat smaller than it is now, was opened by the State Minister for Tourism, Mr Gary West in 1988. The restaurant was more difficult to establish in spite of vigorous efforts by Mr Frank Spillsbury, then the Chairman of the City Tourist Committee. Ultimately arrangements were made with the owner of the Pizza Hut, a land exchange completed and the city then had the makings of a modern centre for tourists to relax and explore the shops and amenities of Armidale. The lovely park adjacent to the information centre provided a safe playground for children, with picnic facilities close by and long-term parking. Funding covered the tourist officer’s salary, goods for purchase with volunteer assistance.
Mr Burns and his managers now apparently wish to save money and move the information centre to the Regional Art Gallery in Kentucky Street. The history of NERAM is far too detailed for this letter. Sufficient to say that at the time that NERAM was built, there was a very strong opposition for many supporters of the museum against the present location, which was dictated by the State Government of the day as part of its funding grants. It was felt by those who opposed the present site, that it was too far from the city centre and would not attract the average tourist and had inadequate parking space. Nothing has changed in my opinion.
As much as I regard the Hinton Collection as one of Armidale’s greatest assets and one of Australia’s finest collections, not every tourist wishes to visit an art gallery and parking in Kentucky’s adjacent streets is difficult enough now for a major opening or weekend meals and there is nowhere suitable for caravans.
If I understand Mr Burns correctly, he wishes to save ratepayers’ money, by moving the information centre so that more money can be allocated to the grand plan of a new library and culture centre.
Whilst I recognise the need for a more modern and spacious library, surely ratepayers should be given a full and adequate costed program for the management of such a centre. Federal, State, corporate and other donors may come forward to build this vast centre but who is going to pay for it? NERAM has still not solved this problem. The Hoskins Centre was built with a donation of $1M initially by an old student of TAS, an American, albeit one who loves Armidale and matched by the Friends of the School.
As most people in the city know, I am a fervent supporter of art and music locally and I know how much money those who are promoting this cultural complex give and have given – time talent and energy to this city of the art.
I have noted however, in the long time I have lived in Armidale, there are few people who have the capacity or desire to donate large sums as in the case of the Hoskins Centre. I am doubtful whether a population of 25,000 people can support such a large complex.
Please keep the Visitors Information Centre on its present site.
Rosemary Leitch,
Armidale
