According to a statement from council, sessions will provide a forum for community members to learn more about the impacts and benefits of moving to a centralised head office model, and to gain an understanding of how the proposed project will be financed.

The first of five sessions will take place 10am on Thursday, November 22 at the proposed head office site on Biripi Way Taree, offering attendees a first-hand opportunity to visit the site.

Additional sessions will be held at council chambers in Gloucester, Taree and Forster.

“We have developed a draft financing strategy for the centralised location after investigations have shown it to be a significantly more cost effective model than continuing to operate across multiple sites in Taree and Forster,” MidCoast Council general manager,  Adrian Panuccio said.

“Under the proposed financing strategy, customer service centres would be retained across the region, there would be no requirement for a special rate variation, and operational funding including our road improvements program would remain untouched.”

Further information and the full schedule of community information sessions will be provided as a flyer in letterboxes throughout the region this week, and can be found by visiting www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/headoffice  where community members are also invited to provide their feedback by completing a short survey.

Sessions will be held at:

While residents are encouraged to attend their closest session, a limited number of additional sessions will be available by request for community groups in smaller village areas.

“Our information sessions are an opportunity for everyone to come along and hear about this important project, one that will help shape our region into the future.”

Find out more, review frequently asked questions, and take the survey at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/headoffice. The consultation phase closes on Friday 14 December 2018.