Scenic Rim Regional Council’s decision to reduce funding to visitor information centres has been criticised over a lack of communication and transparency.
Under Council’s 2026-27 Budget adopted on July 1, total funding for the region’s VICs fell from $140,000 in 2025-26 to $100,000 – a cut of approximately 30 per cent.
The $100,000 in funding is divided evenly between the five centres in Tamborine Mountain, Canungra, Beaudesert, Rathdowney and Boonah.
In Tamborine Mountain News’ September 24 edition, Council Director Planning, Development and Environment Leo Jensen stated, “after discussions with the Visitor Information Centres, there will be minimal to no impact on visitor services”.
It has since been revealed that these discussions took place after the Budget was adopted, with the five VICs formally notified of the reduction by email on August 6.
No discussions regarding the funding reduction took place between Council and the five VICs before the Budget was adopted.
Lack of consultation
Tamborine Mountain VIC manager Janice Smart said she first learnt of the reduction on July 29, after receiving an email in response to her annual funding request.
Ms Smart said she routinely submitted her request in July to get ahead of schedule, explaining why she was notified before the other centres.
“It was out of the blue,” she added.
“There was no consultation.”
Council confirmed that officers met with VIC representatives in August to discuss a range of matters, including funding.
Ms Smart recalled attending the regular quarterly meeting between the VICs and Council’s Tourism team on August 26, where the reduction was raised following concerns from other centres.
“We got the impression we weren’t allowed to talk about it much more,” she said.
Ms Smart expressed disappointment over comments made by Mr Jensen and Tourism Portfolio Councillor Jennifer Sanders regarding the impact of the cuts, questioning how they could assess the consequences without consulting the centres beforehand.
“Outside of Council business networking events, neither of them has ever made any attempt to engage with the Chamber of Commerce, the visitor centre or myself,” she said.
“Jennifer hasn’t even visited the VIC since I’ve been manager.
“It does make a huge impact … the lack of consultation more than anything.”
Despite maintaining a positive working relationship with Council, Ms Smart said the lack of communication surrounding the decision was frustrating.
“I think they’ve just dropped the ball on this,” she added.
Taking action
On October 6, Ms Smart sent a letter to Council on behalf of Tamborine Mountain VIC, outlining concerns over the lack of consultation.
She called for greater communication between Council and the VICs on decisions affecting their funding and operations, allowing centres sufficient time to adjust their budgets and prepare for potential cuts.
Ms Smart said the late notification left the centres with no opportunity to adjust their budgets or financial forecasts.
“We should be knowing six months ahead at least. You don’t have much time to prepare,” she said.
“Even though we’re a non-for-profit, we still have to run as a business – no business can run like that.”
Representatives from the centre are planning to meet with Council to discuss the letter and the concerns raised.
Advocating for change
Division 3 Councillor Steve Moriarty said he was unaware of the funding reduction until recently and raised the issue at a Council meeting on October 14.
“Every councillor has indicated they weren’t aware the VIC funding was going to be cut,” he added.
Cr Moriarty requested that the funding reduction be placed on the agenda for the next budget review, with the aim of restoring funding to the previous year’s allocation of $28,000 per centre.
“I attend all the Canungra Visitor Information Centre meetings and understand the importance of the role they play, not just for visitors to the town but also for locals,” he said.
“I’m very aware that something like an $8000 cut to the funding – the pressure that puts on the people working there to continue to operate.
“I’ll certainly be doing everything that I can to reinstate that funding.”
