YORK Shire has again bailed out the local visitor centre, advancing part of its quarterly contribution to pay for staff superannuation arrears.
An auditor discovered staff were owed money for a 12-month period from July 2008 to June 2009, and as the financial review continues, a restructure of the centre to save costs is on the cards.
Although the Shire approved a $19,000 advance payment at its meeting on Monday, March 15 to pay the bill, it has refused to continue bailing out the visitor centre.
Run independently, the centre receives a $106,000 contribution from the Shire each year to help with operating costs, paid quarterly.
York chief executive Ray Hooper said advancing money to the visitor’s centre was not uncommon, or ideal.
“It’s something that’s been going on for the last nine years,” he said.
“We’ve had to bail them out sometime during each financial year to pay staff and bills. This time it is different because an auditor has identified superannuation and GST hasn’t been submitted when they were due.”
York Tourist Bureau chairwoman Sandra Paskett, elected last October, said the centre was working hard to dig itself out of its financial hole.
“We identified there was a problem because the books were not audited and we requested an audit,” she said.
Mrs Paskett said staff wages were the highest priority at the visitor’s centre and staff understood the current financial situation.
Mrs Paskett said began cutting costs as soon as they were aware of the dire financial situation, and things were recovering slowly.
Mr Hooper said any future requests for advanced funding would need justification.
“We can't keep bailing them out, there needs to be a business plan.”
The Shire and visitor centre management will meet next month to discuss a possible restructure.