Why does the VIC, a very important community service, have to be targeted for cuts? As ‘grey nomads’ to some extent, my husband and I note many bigger and better VICs in smaller towns – locally Uralla, Glen Innes and Inverell. We always visit VICs where we stay. Why not make ours better, not worse, nor hidden away? Often, away from the coastal fringe, there is no easy Internet connection.
Who decided on the VIC for cut backs? After all, with a council budget of millions and 237 full-time employees (Newsletter), a $200,000 saving is peanuts! After all, the General Manager Mr Burns, received $188,342 in the year 2009/2010 for example (Council Calendar). We are told that it costs $300,000 to fund two employees at the VIC (Review).
Who commissioned the 36-page Review and eight-page NERAM parking survey? What council employees were involved as well as Tony Broomfield, the Project Manager for ‘The Economic Development, Tourism and Marketing Department’ and what did it all cost? Thousands of dollars, I am sure! Of the nine options offered Nos 4 to 8 were NONSENSICAL! And No 9 said to be impossible. Might as well suggest Uralla as it is not much further than the airport and has really good parking and accessible toilets and a cafe!
If the VIC were to be relocated, there is no guarantee that a new lessee would (even if one could be found) be worth all the trouble, unless, of course, there is something waiting in the wings which we do not know about.
Last, about parking. If part of the car park nearest to the VIC, including the caravan parking, had a two-hour limit, visitors (surely these are what we want) would be able to park. It is often full of all-day parkers.
Shirley Hardaker,
Armidale
