The renewed Visitor Information Centre at The Entrance opened to the public on April 6, just in time for Easter and the school holidays.
Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith, said the former Visitor Information Centre was built in the 1970s and was in need of an upgrade and improvements to make the building and its facilities more accessible.
“This important project provides benefits to our community with the delivery of an interactive Visitor Information Centre, an upgraded and modern event space as well as new accessible public facilities which include male, female and unisex toilets, a parents room and an adult accessible changeroom facility,” Smith said.
“The Entrance is one of the Central Coast’s most popular tourist destinations and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Centre welcomed 27,600 visitors through its doors each year.
“By providing locals and visitors access to this renewed Centre which provides fantastic information about all there is to do and see across the Coast, we hope to increase the uptake of day trips, overnight stays and subsequent spend by visitors across the region.
“The updated event space will also improve our capacity to attract and host large-scale events and festivals – all overlooking the beautiful waterways that surround The Entrance.”
Smith said another very practical feature of the renewed facility is that local residents can pay their rates, register their dog or cat, or lodge a general enquiry through the Customer Service point at the Visitor Information Centre every Monday from 9am-4.30pm, commencing from April 17.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the facility has been upgraded to create more accessible facilities and meet the needs of our growing community and tourism sector.
“We prioritised this important project to upgrade to a multipurpose facility to not only respond to what the local community want, but to also help drive tourism and economic spend and create a year-round space for all locals to enjoy,” Hart said.
“We are also excited about the upcoming launch of our Visitor Services Young Ambassador Pilot program that supports pathways for employment in the tourism industry and their role supporting the new centre.
“Many locals enjoy spending time with friends and family in Memorial Park, where the Visitor Information Centre is located at The Entrance, and these accessible improvements only enhance the experience and enjoyment of this space all year round.”
The completed multipurpose facility includes: an interactive Visitor Information Centre; new and modern amenities including 24/7 adult accessible change facility (AACF) and event toilets; improved layout and decking for community and visitor use; a dedicated space for local makers and creators to entice visitors to take home something from the Coast; and a bookable function area with a modern event space and purpose-built green room.
Member for Dobell Emma McBride said locals and visitors already enjoy the incredible natural environment The Entrance and the Central Coast has to offer.
“This latest upgrade of the Visitor Information Centre, supported by the Federal Government, will mean many more people will make the most of their time here,” McBride said.
“This investment will help support local businesses, particularly in tourism and hospitality, to bounce back from COVID-19 ahead of the busy Easter holiday period.”
The Centre is managed by Council with Council staff and volunteers working there and sits under the accredited Visitor Information Centre program delivered by The Tourism Group on behalf of Destination NSW.
The Visitor Information Centre will be open to the public seven days a week from 9.30am-4.30pm.
Residents and businesses wanting to enquire about booking the meeting room space located within the centre should call 4304 7211.
The Entrance Visitor Information Centre Refurbishment project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Central Coast Council, with the $29,000 in government funding provided through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.
Source:
Central Coast Council