In February 2011, the Mundaring Shire Council voted to take control of the centre for two years.
The trial period ends on June 30 and the council has elected to take up visitor servicing at the centre full time.
Projected budget forecasts to run the centre for the current financial year are $133,000. The Shire heard at a meeting on Tuesday the centre made a significant contribution to local tourism.
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READ NOWSome of the improvements since the Shire took over include:
– Improved range of in-house brochures.
– Rostered staff at all opening times.
– Improved layout, display furniture and stands.
– Improve heating and cooling efficiency.
– New networked computers and an integrated shire phone system.
The council report said it was believed between 13 and 15 per cent of visitors stayed an extra night in the Hills area and, although there were no direct figures, it was understood to be due to the centre offering tourism advice.
Shire president Helen Dullard said the council was pleased to include visitor servicing in its range of services.
‘The centre not only caters for visitors, but local residents and business operators, which is part of our commitment to supporting a thriving community,’ she said.