2018-01-15 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                15 JANUARY 2018


Estimated trading position:
    Profit / Loss                                  2016/17     Proposed
    Income
       Visitor fees retained by Council           $8,035            $-
    Expenses
       Managers’ retainer                       -$18,250       -$5,000
       Approximate Running costs                 -$8,800       -$5,000
    Total Profit/Loss                             -$19,015      -$10,000

The new management arrangement poses a forecast saving of approximately $9k over the
current trading position although does not achieve cost neutrality for the operation.
Option 2: Upgrade the Facility
Council has been approached to invest further in the RV Stopover to improve facilities and
increase visitation. A submission provided by proponents is included as Attachment 2.
Suggested improvements include:
     Open the Combined Coastal Car Club’s adjacent toilets & showers for use by the RV
      facility.
     Amend the development approval to delete the requirement for self-contained vehicles
      only.
         Provide BBQs.
         Establish a visitor information centre.
         Construct a pathway around the James Hardy building to connect to the Lower Mill area.
The Car Club has indicated it is supportive of the submission and the use of its toilets and
showers in principle, provided Council bears all costs for cleaning, maintenance, utilities and
repairs. The Club has also expressed a desire to negotiate greater flexibility for its own camping
use of the site.
Option 3: Dispense with 3rd Party Management
Council could consider abandoning the current management model and choose to appoint
caretakers directly and to collect fees either by the caretaker or an honesty box. This approach
would transfer management risks and responsibilities to Council.
Option 4: Close the Facility
This option presents the lowest financial risk. The Cooroy RV Stopover has not reached cost
neutrality through 2½ years of operation and EOI options do not provide potential to achieve that
outcome. The facility achieves only modest patronage and it is notable that a new private RV
stop has established on Cooroy’s outskirts since Council decided to address the lack of RV
facilities in the area.
It is recommended Council reappoint the facility manager under a new management
arrangement to achieve cost savings, as identified in Option 1. This option is preferred because
it:
        Maintains operation of the facility and reduces Council’s costs;
        Provides professional management of the facility and adheres to Council’s development
          approval obligations; and
        Allows the manager to retain 100% of the visitor fees, which should incentivise the
          promotion of the RV Stopover by the manager.




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