The centre, located at Echuca’s Aquatic Reserve, is a popular stop with tourists seeking information about what is happening in the twin towns.
Echuca Moama Tourism (EMT) will pull their face-to-face services on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
The Riv has learnt the decision was made after Campaspe Shire and Murray River Council elected to withdraw its funding commitments to visitors services.
Both councils were tightlipped on the bombshell decision when contacted by The Riv earlier today.
The decision was later announced during an EMT meeting held at the Moama Bowling Club tonight.
Ambassadors of the Visitor Information Centre received emails this afternoon signed by EMT chief executive officer Mellisa Gillies.
“A significant downturn in revenue has forced us to undertake an urgent review of our organisational structure, operations, costs, and staff requirements,” the email states.
“As you may be aware, we are currently funded by two local governments, by membership fees, and some commissions.
“Both local governments will cease funding to visitor services, effective 31 August 2023.
“This means that the Visitor Information Centre will close on 31 August 2023.”
Ms Gillies thanked the ambassadors for their contribution, saying they had “been a vital part of the Echuca Moama Visitor Information Centre since services commenced with the founding of the Association.”
At tonight’s meeting, EMT said it did look into the option of self-financing the Echuca Moama Visitor Information Centre, but it was decided that cost was “too high” without other funding.
During the Q&A portion of tonight’s meeting, nearly all the questions centred on the closure of the centre.
The general sentiment of the room was that there should be a bricks and mortar Visitor Information Centre in a region renowned as a tourist hotspot.
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