¶ COLLIE Shire councillors were told time is running out for the proposed upgrade of the Collie Visitor Centre at their June meeting.
Shire president Ian Miffling stressed that the message was “very clear”, in that the shire needed to make progress or lose its funding.
“It’s as simple as that,” Cr Miffling said. “We have to make a decision tonight, otherwise we’re on a slippery slope with this one.”
The shire received $537,000 in funding via the Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund for expansion of the centre in 2021.
However, progress had stalled since completion of a feasibility study in May 2023, due in part to an over-budget cost estimate and staffing changes at the shire.
Shire chief executive officer Phil Anastasakis headed up an effort to get the project back on track, resulting in a revised proposal.
Councillors gave the go ahead for the proposal, under which it is proposed to prioritise upgrade of the centre’s back-of-house area, including the staff room, office, IT and storage areas, along with the public toilets.
It is also proposed that $50,000 of the funding be reserved for information and communications technology and display furniture upgrades.
The revised proposal does not include establishment of a “trails hub”, providing facilities for mountain bike riders adjacent to the centre, which had been recommended in the feasibility study.
Rather, it has separated planning work to allow for consideration of the trails hub and other future development opportunities.
Any unspent funds will be allocated to installation of a false roof to the top of the replica mine tunnel to address ongoing water leaks, and landscaping and street furniture renewal.