Over the last three years the Moruya Town & Visitor Information Centre PopUp, located in Moruya Books, has been coordinated and staffed by local volunteers.
Past President of the Moruya Business Chamber, now Secretary Jude Manahan, has ably carried out the coordinator's role over these past years however is not available this year.
The Moruya Chamber approached Eurobodalla Council asking for a small amount of money to fund the 8 week position but were denied the financial support and the Chamber has been unsuccessful in finding a volunteer to take on the coordinator position.
Chamber President, Tim Dalrymple has advised the chamber members that "The information centre was growing in popularity over the three years and it is disappointing it will not continue this December/January. The centre promoted local businesses and activities in the area while also advertising and informing people of 'what's happening' in Moruya."
Over the next 12 months Moruya Business Chamber will investigate a business model that will sustain the popup centre and hopefully we will open once again in December 2020.
Elsewhere the Council are looking to further reduce their Visitor Information engagement as they propose to sell off the Batemans Bay Information Centre to direct the proceeds towards the town's new 25m swimming pool and theatrette, replacing the Visitor Information staff with an electronic touch screen.
The same outcome might also be proposed with suggestions of a repurposing of the Narooma Visitor Centre that has been a terrific success since the Montague Arts Community volunteers took over the space. With the prospect of Council wanting to increase lease fees and apply more conditions this arrangement might well see Council install a touch screen in Narooma as well.
Above: the very successful Moruya summer popup tourist information outlet, generously supported by Moruya books and attended by volunteers is not supported by Eurobodalla Council and will not open its doors this year.
