Increased staffing for information centre
The Ruapehu region information centre may soon be run by a full-time adult, assisted by a young person under a work skills development programme. Another option is for the job to be taken by two people under a job sharing scheme. The former information centre officer at the Clyde Street, Ohakune premises, Joanne Boyle, left the job three weeks ago to take up another post. In a letter to the Ohakune Borough Council, Mr John Sandford, who has been organising the information centre, said that despite a few "operational hiccups" he was very pleased with what's been achieved since the centre was opened in July last year. A total of 2,865 people had called into the centre in a total of 175 open days between August 25th and April 30th. In addition to this there were a total of 521 written enquiries answered (an average of almost 3 a day) plus an unrecorded number of telephone enquiries. The reasons for people visiting the centre were also recorded. Mr Sandford said, "Enquiries cover accommodation types and availability, transport information, where to eat, how to get to places, where to swim, where to picnic, what to do, etc. "At all times we have recognised our role as an information centre for the Ruapehu region. Essentially, our main areas to direct people to are Pipiriki, Raetihi, National Park, Whakapapa, Waiouru and, of course, Ohakune!" Although it wasn't possible to measure the economic value of the centre, Mr Sandford claimed it could have been worth $47,000 to the Ruapehu region in extra revenue. "It must also be remem-
bered that this was over 175 open days. "Obviously, on the basis of an all-year-round, 7 day-a-week operation and based on our existing visitor figures, the centre has the immediate potential to create some $98,000 per annum of additional flowon revenue for the region. "As our visitor numbers grow then the potential for further growth increases too. "The final, and most important point to make regarding the visitor figures is the goodwill factor. "Hopefully, all the people who called into the centre left satisfied. Assuming they did, we now have the best part of 3,000 people wandering around as goodwill
ambassadors for our region. "There 's no better advertising than a satisfied customer." Mr Sandford requested the Ohakune Borough Council again approve a $2,000 grant towards the operation of the centre which he plans to put towards the senior information officer's salary. "I propose to obtain the balance of the salary by approaching other local authorities in our region and then by selling the concept of membership subscriptions to business people in the region," he said. Mr Sandford concluded that he was prepared to underwrite the salary for two months, pending ap-
proval and collection of money from the other sources. In addition to employing a full-time adult, or two adults under a job share scheme, an application has also been made to the Labour Department for help in supplying a young person under a work skills development programme. The Ohakune Borough Council approved the $2,000 grant at Thursday's meeting, Mayor Mr Bill Taylor stating, "I must praise Mr Sandford's diligence in this area, it is really admirable. "Mr Sandford has been more concerned with the quality of information the centre provides rather than just putting people in it."
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 1, 28 May 1985, Page 3
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558Increased staffing for information centre Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 1, 28 May 1985, Page 3
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