EUROBODALLA Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest to manage its two visitor information centres in Narooma and Batemans Bay following a unanimous decision by councillors at last week’s council meeting.
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Council however won’t say what the level of interest has been at all until after the submission period closes on October 26.
The invitation is extended to businesses, not for profit organisations, and individuals who can articulate a robust business model that continues a high standard of service to visitors and the tourism industry and maintains the centres’ current level of accreditation.
Eurobodalla mayor and Tourism Advisory Committee chairman Lindsay Brown said that all councillors at last week’s meeting supported the decision to seek expressions of interest, which they see as the first step in a process which may progress towards a tender or request to quote stage.
“We are very committed to making sure that an alternative way of operating the visitor centres is a robust and sustainable model that continues to meet the needs of visitors,” he said.
“An expression of interest process allow us to meet with interested parties and talk through how that would look and what type of support council could offer.”
Clr Brown said the business opportunity on offer was to run one or both of the centres at Batemans Bay and Narooma and to capitalise on the 80,000 people who walk through their doors every year.
“There are already a number of different and successful models of visitor centres around the world managed by local community-based committees, chambers of commerce or business groups, co-located services, and private enterprises as well,” he said.
The mayor explained that people interested in the opportunity would need to offer free WiFi to visitors, support council’s tourism destination marketing activities and show how they will contribute to the tourism industry in Eurobodalla.
“In Narooma applicants will also need to consider the safekeeping of the light in the Lighthouse Museum and other heritage items that are on loan by agreement from various members of the public and the Narooma Historical Society.”
Clr Brown went on to say that the proposal to change the way council managed its visitor centres came out of a comprehensive organisational service review.
“Our ongoing reviews ensure that the services Council delivers are efficient, effective and meet the community’s needs,” he said.
“In this case, we found that there was an opportunity to change and to improve the way council’s visitor services meet the changing needs and behaviours of visitors.”
Expressions of interest close on Monday, October 26.
Interested parties can find out more on Council’s website under Tourism or search for Visitor Information Centre EOI.
