MIDCOAST Council is currently assessing options for the continued delivery of tourist information services to Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest visitors after the sudden withdrawal of services from the area’s Community Technology Centre last week.

The Community Technology Centre has operated the visitor centre for years as part of an agreement with Council.

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Council’s manager of Growth, Economic Development and Tourism, Deb Tuckerman, said the involvement of the CTC over many years was appreciated and acknowledged.

“We understand the decision of the CTC, it has become increasingly costly for them to run the centre due to both the decreased number of visitors and the loss of the income they did receive from the sale of National Parks passes, which are now sold online,” Ms Tuckerman said.

“We want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the CTC to the centre and the volunteers who have devoted their time to improving outcomes for visitors to the region.”

Council’s destination management team is now working through the handover with the CTC and considering options for delivering the services moving forward.

“Due to the short notice we are in a position where we need to keep the visitor centre closed, as the equipment that has been used in the centre needs to be returned to the CTC and we need to assess the best way of supporting the tourists who visit Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest into the future.

“Visitation to the Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest area is significant and we acknowledge its importance to our region.”

Ms Tuckerman said she was pleased volunteers had expressed their enthusiasm for the centre to remain open and commended their devotion to supporting tourism in the area.

“Volunteers have played a significant role in delivering visitor services over a number of years and we do thank them for their past service and continued interest.”

Volunteers will be kept up to date with Council’s plans moving forward.