Raetihi information centre shift still likely

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 654, 17 September 1996, Page 1

Raetihi information centre shift still likely

Raetihi 's information centre could be moved into the Ruapehu District Coun cil's Raetihi agency building on the corner of Seddon and Duncan streets. The building would probably be altered to provide a new public entrance off Seddon Street and a shared reception area, and a separate postal worker's entrance. In a report, the Waimarino Community Board was advised that the possible move had been discussed with the administration manager and Raetihi staff and would also be discussed with a working group set up to look at the proposal. The group includes Ruapehu marketing manager B ruce Rollinson and board member Gary Rawnsley. Board chairman Colin Webb said there needed to be public consultation as there were some he was aware of who felt that the agency was too far down Seddon Street. He said there was also concern that if the floor area was increased the council would "slap on extra administration costs". The council has indicated that any proposal that will result in increased costs now, or in the future, must not be pursued, said Mr Rollinson in his report. Member Ellen Gould said there were financial problems with the present situation and that the

move was being looked at to save money. Board member Doug Bennett expressed concern at the cost of alterations to the building, to which property officer Allan Low explained that for security reasons only one public entrance should be provided. He said he had only been asked to take a "preliminary look" at the building with regard to the proposal. It is expected the centre will be staffed by current agency staff durin'g the week. "The working group will need to look at options associated with weekend staffing but this will need to be confirmed within the total $11,000 operational budget," stated Mr Rollinson. He said if information services demands "compromise the current level of service", the staffing situation would need to be reviewed, but that this was unlikely within the next two years. The idea behind the proposal was to provide a more professional information service, economies of combining the information service with the agency, and a long term affordable solution to providing an information service in Raetihi. Mr Rollinson said the marketing subcommittee had been instructed by the council to formulate an information centre funding policy.