Currently with no licence agreement being in place from July 23 onwards, and no financial support approved by the councillors, the statement said it was a very real possibility that the Tenterfield Visitors Information Centre would have to close its doors.

The centre’s co-ordinator Lara Flanagan released the statement to the media on Wednesday afternoon warning of the possible closure.

“Perhaps the community should ask the councillors who voted in favour of a heavy vehicle bypass at the same meeting how they expect to attract tourists to Tenterfield with no facilities to deliver on tourism promises,” the statement said.

“Perhaps the community should ask the Councillors why, before this decision was made in May did not one single councillor visit the Tenterfield Visitors Information Centre to look at the day to day operations and try to understand the services provided for our community.   

“Or ask them why not one member of the TVA was contacted to discuss the situation or to open discussion on options available to ensure the centre’s continued operation. 

“The community will ask the councillors why they did not consult with one tourism industry professional about this matter which will have dire effect throughout the business community.  Representatives from Glen Innes Tourism, Granite Belt Wine Tourism and Destination NSW are available but perhaps our councillors know better?

“The councillors should have to explain as to why they seem to disregard the importance of over 23,000 visitors in 17 months who have been through the Visitors Centre. Perhaps they might want to direct them onto the bypass?    

“Perhaps we can point them to Stanthorpe’s Visitor Information Centre who are funded 70 per cent by their own council and have reassured the Tenterfield Visitors Information Centre that they will be more than happy to assist with our visitors.

“Perhaps the councillors might want to explain why they would go against a general manager’s recommendations when it is understood this is the first time councillors in Tenterfield have ever chosen to do so.   

“Whilst they are explaining that decision they might also like to clarify as to why it is acceptable to provide funds for a co-ordinator to manage the School of Arts but not at the Visitors Information Centre.  

“Perhaps they might like to compare visitor numbers at the School of Arts Museum?

“The Visitors Information Centre is all about enhancing the visitor experience by encouraging visitors to stay and stay longer.  

“Research from Destination NSW is showing that visitor centres are becoming increasingly important because despite the focus of online marketing people are still craving personal contact.   

“The Tenterfield Visitors Information Centre is not only about servicing the visitors that come to our shire, it is also about attracting new and repeat business to the shire.  The TVA achieves this through management of online components such as Facebook (over 950 followers), regular mailouts, addressing all phone and website enquiries.   “The centre responds to all email enquiries and produces a Quarterly Newsletter which is forwarded to a growing database.

“The councillors should be well aware of the importance of the function of the Visitor Information Centre, if only they had asked. In 10 years when the vehicle bypass is in place, perhaps then the community will ask where exactly our councillors priorities were.”

At last week’s council meeting, the recommendation was put:

(1)That the General Manager’s Report “Council’s Tourism Function” be received and noted, and further

(2)That Council supports the current model for Tourism in the Shire where Council is responsible for strategy, promotion and marketing; and where the day to day operation of the Visitor Information Centre, the webpage and Facebook page are the responsibilities of the Tenterfield & District Visitors Association; and

(3)That Council enters into a further 12 months License Agreement with the Tenterfield & District Visitors Association Inc with the Licence Fee to remain at $6000

(4)That Council contributes a total of $36,300 to the Tenterfield & District Visitors Association for the operation of the Tenterfield Visitor Information Centre in the year 2014/2015; and

(5)That of the total $36,300, the amount of $25,800 comes from Tourism Restricted Reserves 2013 / 2014 and $10,500 from savings in the proposed Tourism promotional expenditure budget for 2014 / 2015.

This motion was lost with Don Forbes, Mike Petrie and Brian Murray being in favour of the motion being accepted.  

Remaining councillors were against this motion.