The committee heard from 17 submitters on the proposed centre at a hearing in Cromwell yesterday, after which five committee members voted to approve the centre and three were opposed.
"Therefore, subject to resource consent applications, there will be an information centre on SH8B in about 16 months," committee chairman and Central Otago mayor Malcolm Macpherson said.
Throughout the hearing mixed opinions about the new centre - which would replace the present information centre in the Cromwell Mall - were expressed.
Some supported the venture as an upgrade of existing facilities in a location more visible to travellers along the main highway.
Others opposed the relocation of Cromwell's information centre away from the mall, saying it would direct visitors out of the retail area to the detriment of business owners.
Some submitters supported new development and upgraded facilities providing they did not hinder existing business within Cromwell, and suggested the mall area be upgraded as well.
Others were worried what would happen to the museum (at present incorporated in the same building as the information centre), and suggested both needed to stay together, which was not proposed.
Formal submissions were received from 121 people, 108 of which supported the new, relocated centre.
Despite only seven submissions being opposed and six neither in support nor opposition, Dr Macpherson said the debate was not about numbers but rather what the different arguments represented.
Mall business owners Gary Anderson, Alister Watson, and Michael Paardekooper appeared against the proposal for varying reasons, while fellow mall business owners Jackie and Alistair Hamilton said the relocated centre would be beneficial.
Many of those who supported the move said the Cromwell Mall was difficult to locate, not user-friendly, uncomfortable, and in desperate need of an upgrade, and the information centre was lost within it.
Committee members Gordon Stewart, Graeme Bell, and Tony Lepper voted against the proposal, while John Lane, Lynley Claridge, Barry Becker, Clair Higginson, and Dr Macpherson voted in support of it.
Three committee members did not vote - Terry Emmitt declared a conflict of interest, Neil Gillespie was called to a fire and was absent for the vote, and Steve Battrick was absent from the entire hearing.
