VISITORS to Penola have condemned a suggestion to move the Penola and Beachport visitor information centres to seasonal operation.
The 70-page report – commissioned by Wattle Range Council – made a number of recommendations about the Millicent, Penola and Beachport information centres and was presented to elected members at this month’s meeting.
Councillors discussed the report but no decision was made.
The document will be reviewed by staff and a report will be presented to council at a future meeting outlining potential recommendations to be considered.
The report recommended making the Millicent Visitor Information Centre a hub while rearranging the opening times of Penola and Beachport.
It states the Penola Visitor Information Centre generates $6325 in gross profit and $128,837 in expenditure and produces a net loss of $5.10 per visitor.
Undertaken by consulting firm Komosion, the report suggested operating Penola and Beachport as seasonal, opening during the January and April peak periods with reduced full time staff.
The key recommendation also suggested mobile pop-up information centres to operate outside of peak tourism season.
According to the report, the expected cost for a pop-up mobile information centre was $30,000 each and should be used in key locations such as Coonawarra, Penola and Beachport.
It did not recommend the closure of the information centres or relocation, but suggested council should consider various models for the centre and prioritise service levels, focusing on enhancing the experience where it mattered to deliver a more effective and efficient model for visitor serving.
“As seasonal the information centre can be supported outside of peak periods by operating with tailored bust consistent opening hours and days,” the report said.
“It could include a mobile van and digital signage, able to support the satellite information centre and also the smaller townships.”
The report said the high traffic areas of Coonawarra, the high street of Penola and Millicent could also benefit from static displays, digital kiosks and mobile centres over the weekends to “provide improved service and a taste of the broader regions offering to visitors”.
Adelaide tourists Maria and Ray Brandt recently travelled through the Wattle Range region and said they frequently use visitor information centres at new locations.
The couple said information centres were a hub of local information for them and helped determined their activities during their stay.
“We get maps from there to see what the town has to offer and ask about any historical sites to visit,” Ms Brandt said.
“We utilise the centre for information around the area and to find out what is happening, for information about good restaurants and especially good wineries.”
She said if the information centre was to move to a seasonal operation, there would be a gap of information for those who travel outside peak seasons.
“There are always people travelling and we prefer not to travel during peak times because it is generally quieter and more relaxing,” Ms Brandt said.
“If it were a pop up centre you need to ask how those from out of town would find it.
“You need the local knowledge and I do think making it seasonal is just going backwards.”
Ms Brandt’s daughter Karin Kosiol – who was travelling with the couple alongside her husband – said the family enjoyed information centres as it made a difference to whether they stay longer or not.
“It is also good to see people proud of their local area and they tell us where we need to go and what they like to do,” Ms Kiosk said.
“It makes you knowledgeable about where you have been and you do not just drive through and can get the most out of your visit.”
Wattle Range Council deputy chief executive Paul Duka said the seasonal opening was one of a number of recommendations made in the report.
“If it will be considered, a report will come back to council for their decision and in the interim it is merely a suggestion,” Mr Duka said.
“Elected members finished the report was quite comprehensive and they look forward to seeing some of the recommendation brought back to council in the future.”
Mr Duka said there were no other discussion about the report brought up at the meeting.
