HALLS Gap’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will return to the heart of town at the site of the Hub precinct.
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Northern Grampians Shire Council has resolved to reinstate it there, after construction of the Hub is complete.
As part of the resolution passed at a specially convened meeting on Monday night council also determined that VIC services should be provided by another operator.
Council received a petition with 576 signatures requesting the return of the VIC to Halls Gap and non commercialisation of the community hub.
Councillors had considered several models of operation that were contained within its Tourism Services Review.
Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin said he realised the decision won’t please everyone, but it is the decision council has made.
“I think we are indeed fortunate to have such wonderful staff operate our VICs and this review has been part of a number of reviews we’ve conducted throughout the last 12 months, they are always difficult,” he said.
“As responsible councillors we need to go out to the market to make sure that we are providing the best possible service.”
Halls Gap Residents and Ratepayers Association president, Paul Turner said he welcomed the decision to return the VIC to the centre of Halls Gap.
The VIC is currently located at Brambuk while construction on the hub precinct continues.
“Given that there were more than 500 signatures in the petition presented to Council requesting the return of the VIC, I am not surprised at the decision to bring the VIC back to Halls Gap,” Mr Turner said.
“Needless to say, we are all pleased at the outcome, but really it should have been obvious that it needed to come back as was promised by Council representatives last year.
“We are very happy that common sense has prevailed and look forward to the VIC returning in the near future as will the many tourists who signed our petition.”
As for possible commercialisation of the Hub, Mr Turner said concerns remain about the provision of services going into the future.
“My understanding is that expressions of interest have been considered and the Council will now decide the format of issuing a tender advertisement,” he said.
“We are still strongly opposed to any commercialisation of what we, the community believe is a public asset.
“I believe the Council are very much aware of our feelings and are hopefully proceeding with our thoughts in mind.”
Mr Turner said he is hopeful the outcome of any tender process will be mutually beneficial for both the Council and community of Halls Gap.
“Clearly the Council has a responsibility to maintain the complex with as little financial impact on the shire as possible and we applaud that,” he said.
“Hopefully the solution will be a middle ground, where a win/win is achievable. However, from the community’s point of view, a ‘commercial’ enterprise i.e. coffee shop/eatery will not be an acceptable outcome for the community of Halls Gap.”
Council’s Director Economic and Community, Jim Nolan said the outside operator could reasonably be a tourism organisation such as Grampians Tourism, or Halls Gap Tourism.
“Responsibility for and management of staffing would be by others, the operator would likely require a financial subsidy by Council,” he said.
“VTIC accreditation would be at the discretion of the operator, but council, as the owner of the premises, would have capacity to set certain service levels.
“An integrated service could reasonably be supplemented by some other tourism, retail or community services.”
Council’s Tourism Services Review indicated implications of its decision on Monday night include staff redeployment, redundancy or transmission to new employer which may result in loss of skills, and likely additional one off costs.
Council will also lose some control over how services are provided, however it retains the capacity to set certain levels.
Mr Turner said he believes the community is very pleased with the overall finalisation of the Halls Gap Hub project which has been planned for and talked about for many years.
“I believe we have a wonderful asset for the community and for Australian and overseas tourists in general. We look forward to the grand opening which is yet to be announced.”