DESPITE a controversial journey, Gunnedah’s relocated Visitor Information Centre (VIC) opened on Friday afternoon to only a small peaceful protest.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
RELATED COVERAGE: Gallery: Refurbished cultural centre and exhibition opening
The information centre was opened as part of the “big reveal” of Gunnedah’s cultural precinct renovations, including new banners, fresh paint, landscaping, new technology, directional signs and the launch of the www.visitgunnedah.com.au website.
About eight protesters sat outside the centre during the official opening, a far cry from the more than 900 who had earlier signed letters claiming a vote of no confidence in the council.
The letters were sent to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson following council’s decision to relocate the Visitor Information Centre and make part of Chandos Street one way.
Gunnedah mayor Owen Hasler said the opening marked a “new era in the marketing of our wonderful community of Gunnedah”.
“One would be quite unrealistic if we were to fail to recognise that this excellent facility, which has been achieved by a change of location, caused a degree of controversy in our community,” he told the crowd.
“However, in this situation, I am reminded of our recently departed elder statesman, Gough Whitlam, when he stated: ‘Remember, there is a difference between the past and the future.’
“Consequently, I believe that the outstanding feature of this whole exercise is that the staff have focussed on achieving the best service for our visitors despite the disruptions around them which could have distracted them from achieving this wonderful new facility, on time and on budget.”
Louise Hobson, who was part of the peaceful protest outside the centre, said she felt she had to make a stand because the council was “not listening to the community”.
“As a ratepayer, we have rights,” she said.
“The petition with more than 5000 signatures [protesting the relocation of the Visitor Information Centre] meant absolutely nothing.
“We are not being heard.”
The group also objected to the cost of the 18 poles and banners installed as part of the refurbishment, and the opening event itself.
“They are in there drinking champagne to waste more money,” Angela Barnes said.
Only three of the nine councillors attended the opening.
Cr Hasler said council staff had shown “teamwork and pride” to come up with a result that was “better than what we had expected”.
“I believe that this augers a new era of tourism services for the many visitors to our town and look forward to seeing their vehicles parked in Chandos Street and around Wolesley Oval on a regular basis,” he said.
“As you would have recognised, it is a high tech model with little infrastructure but high connectivity which should provide bountiful information to the users – and high visitation to local businesses, eateries, etc.”
Cr Hasler said the opening, which was followed by the opening of an art exhibition by Liz Priestley, showed the Civic could be used for different functions at the same time.
He said the next step in the changes was the transfer of the Jean Isherwood Collection to the former Visitor Information Centre.
The decision to relocate the Visitor Information Centre came following reports by a number of consultants over the past few years.
Each found the centre was not attracting a high enough number of visitors, largely because of its location.
The move to relocate caused very vocal opposition from the community, and a council that has remained divided on the issue.
The changes to Chandos Street have also caused concerns, with people still posting regular reports of near-misses with people driving the wrong way up the one-way section of the street.
