It is not a slash and burn exercise but instead lays the groundwork to boost income and reduce costs wherever possible.

The newly adopted three-year Glasshouse strategic plan has four key points – ensuring good governance, developing good partnerships, enhancing use and visitation, and promoting viability.

The key outcomes and recommendations guide the strategic direction.

A rolling five-year profit and loss forecast will give a clear financial picture, while an economic impact assessment will identify the benefits to the local and regional economy.

A business plan will be developed to guide the centre’s day to day activities.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council deputy mayor and Glasshouse portfolio chairman Cr Adam Roberts said we would see a bridging of the gap in terms of the financial costs to the community if the plan was correctly implemented.

“I see this as a genuine attempt to do the best under the circumstances,” he said. “We are trying to make the facility work for the broader community.”

Another recommendation is a review of information services, including visitor information, within the Glasshouse, with the first draft due by the end of the year.

The council will waive the fee for displaying brochures in the Glasshouse to previous tourism partnership program members pending the review’s outcome.

Cr Rob Turner said he saw the building of relationships and the five-year rolling budget as the two key aspects of the plan, but the entire plan was good. Cr Trevor Sargeant, who was the only councillor to vote against adopting the plan, said the strategic plan as presented did not give him any confidence that we understood the problems affecting the Glasshouse.

Cr Sargeant said he was a great supporter of the Glasshouse but the report just indicated the centre was bleeding money. Cr Lisa Intemann commended the work of the Glasshouse Sub-Committee in endeavouring to move forward and provide a framework of action for the future. Council’s acting director commercial services and industry engagement Rebecca Olsen said based on draft end of year 2013/2014 financial year figures, the operating cost of the Glasshouse was just under $2.5 million for the year (operational income less expenses).