RELOCATING Uralla’s Visitor Information Centre to the town’s library is expected to cost the shire more than $480,000.
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But plans for the works have been put on hold until a business case for the new centre is prepared and put to Uralla Shire councillors.
At Monday’s meeting, acting general manager George Cowan presented councillors with cost estimates prepared by a quantity surveyor, who broke down expenditure for each stage of the works.
They were told the predicted bill for the entire project was $487, 263.
The first stage, which involved fitting out the library and relocating the centre, was estimated to cost Council $288,217.
But councillors were told that just $180,000 was allocated for the works in the current budget.
Mr Cowan’s report said the project’s development application was approved in February.
After Monday’s meeting, he said councillors needed more details.
“The project will not proceed until councillors receive more information on the cost-benefit of the project and meet with the architects in the next few weeks to examine options and to refine timing,” Mr Cowan said.
“Council has allocated $90,000 in the 16-17 draft budget for the project which will fund stage one.”
Stage two of the works will see the centre’s toilets accessibility upgraded at an estimated cost of $92,613.
The third stage, involving landscaping and path realignment, is predicted to cost $62,309.
Estimates for the fourth stage of the works, which will see a new façade and signage for the centre, is tipped to cost $44,124.
Council documents showed a plan to see an “increased digital presence and less reliance on a physical visitor information centre as the connection point with visitors”.