The Kew Visitor Information Centre was closed early 2009 by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council due to a drop in visitor numbers and a revisitation of council finances.

In late 2008 the council’s tourism manager Linda Hall said a high proportion of people visiting the Kew VIC were heading northward to Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. She said these visitors were requesting maps and other general information for destinations further north and the Kew centre was in essence serving the North Coast Region.

However, with a major beautification master plan in the works for Kew, Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce president Peter Winfield asks, “Why can’t Kew be the gateway to the North Coast?”

Mr Winfield believes that a new-look Kew could become a popular rest and information stop for visitors, as it once was. He believes if the VIC could be manned by volunteers with a focus to directing people to take the scenic route north, the information centre could provide greater tourism business for the Camden Haven.

“With local events like the Camden Haven Music Festival, Slice of Haven, Watermark Literary Festival and King of the Mountain drawing more and more people to the region, the VIC could be the icing on the cake attracting travellers to stop, take in our beautiful surrounds and visit again in future,” Mr Winfield said.

“The chamber is revisiting the idea of reopening the VIC. We’ve spoken to the council and signage people and we’re receiving positive feedback, so we’re putting together plans and funding to get it to happen.”

Mr Winfield believes the key component of making the idea become reality is the support of volunteers.

“To ensure the VIC can be opened 364 days a year, we would need about 50 or 60 volunteers,” Mr Winfield said.

“This amount of volunteers would only need to be at the centre maybe a fortnight or so spread over the whole year. So if you can spare a day, or half a day here and there, the chamber would like to hear from you.”

Mr Winfield said the chamber’s plan included having experienced VIC workers to guide the volunteers.

“The volunteers won’t be selling, just giving visitors a good experience and showing them where to go in the area, sights to see, places to eat, things to do, places to stay. We would welcome individual volunteers or volunteers from groups from all over the Hastings to help out and we will have an information night if we can get enough people interested.”If you can help please contact Peter Winfield on 6559 9088.