TWO YEARS, 225 survey respondents and a whole lot of community outcry has come to an end.
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The Uralla Visitor Information Centre is here to stay.
Uralla Shire Council made the decision not to merge the centre with the library on Tuesday.
“I think the public are very happy with the decision, it’s been a long time happening and now we’re finally progressing,” mayor Michael Pearce said.
“It was quite clear that the public consensus was to have the two entities remain separate – which they will be.”
The initial costs to move the centre were estimated at $270,000.
But, they quickly rose to $487,263.
“Two years ago like any business we were looking at different options, and things on paper looked great,” Mr Pearce said.
“Unfortunately the paper trail grew, the budget grew and it just became unattainable.
“In these current climates everyone’s really budget constrained and we need to be fiscally responsible.”
The $270,000 set out for the move has now been saved, some of which can be put toward upgrading the old cafe at the rear of the centre.
Suggestions so far have included reinvigorating the cafe, or creating a co-op of products made in the region.
Mr Pearce said he would like to see the co-op come to fruition.
“We promised that we would have a walk through in July so that members of the public can give us some suggestions,” he said.
“Hopefully in the next three to four months we’ll be able to come to a satisfactory situation for everyone.”
The idea that visitors prefer to get their information digitally was one of the reasons to merge the two buildings.
Mr Pearce said this is not the case.
“People are still old school,” he said.
“The people here have got their finger on the pulse as well, the VIC is here to stay.
“Now we want to make it a bit more beautiful and shine it up a bit.”