Contracting out of Information Centre services at Paeroa

The provision of Visitor Information Services directly by the Hauraki District Council in Paeroa will end on the 25 August 2008 when L and P Café and Bar take up a 6 year contract with Council to provide this service.

While the Council has operated the Paeroa Information Centre since the early 1990’s it is not considered part of Councils core business.

While most Information Centres in the region receive funding from Councils the Paeroa centre is the only one being operated by Council staff.

With only about 7,000 visitors using the facility in a year it has not been very cost effective when compared to other information centres such as Waihi who get 35,000 visitors annually.

When Council was approached by L and P Café and Bar with an offer to take over the operation of the Paeroa Information Centre negotiations were entered into as this was determined to be more efficient and practical than going through a tender process as the contract value is relatively small.

The offer from L and P Café and Bar had many positive features including longer operating hours, bigger and brighter premises, high exposure to the travelling public, alignment with the World Famous in New Zealand brand, and good toilet facilities on site.

The contract that has been entered into with L and P Café and Bar requires that they provide information to local, national and international visitors to the Hauraki District.

Information is to be provided on visitor attractions, accommodation, retailing, services and facilities and general information on Paeroa and the Hauraki District.

The contract cost is $60,000 plus GST per annum, which is significantly less than the current cost of $83,300 plus GST per annum.

The date for the transfer to the Café is the 25 August 2008.

The current Information Centre Manager was offered a position with the new operator but will not be taking up this position.

With the contracting out of the Information centre operation the Council will no longer sell tickets for bus services.

Tickets will still be able to be purchased directly from the bus drivers or alternatively via the internet.

Council is currently considering options for the use of the existing Information Centre Building.

A possible use would be as a replacement to the Athletic Club pavilion that was located on the Paeroa Domain but was destroyed by fire.