Our current Visitor Information Centre has well and truly outgrown its space, and it’s time to start planning ahead for what Penguin will need in the years to come.

Council has operated the Penguin Visitor Information Centre for many years with a clear purpose: to champion our region and support local businesses by encouraging visitors to explore Penguin and the wider Central Coast, seven days a week. Since COVID lockdowns, visitor numbers have grown year on year. This year, we welcomed 30,040 people through the doors, as more and more visitors are discovering just how special Penguin is. Upgrading the Penguin Visitor Information Centre will make sure every one of them continues to receive a warm, engaging and memorable welcome as this momentum grows.

The Penguin Visitor Information Centre already plays an important role in the community. It’s where visitors go for information, but it also offers access to Council services, local history and a selection of Penguin-themed retail options. This redevelopment is a chance to think more broadly about what the community needs, and what other services or spaces could be added to benefit locals and visitors alike.

We’re keen to hear your ideas. Maybe it’s flexible meeting rooms, a small cultural or exhibition space, or something entirely different. The goal is to shape a centre that reflects Penguin’s identity while supporting the town’s growth.

By planning for the future now, we can create a VIC that becomes a genuine hub for locals and visitors alike, reinforcing Penguin as a must-visit Tasmanian destination while adding everyday value for our community.

How You Can Get Involved

Right now, we’re asking for your aspirations, ideas, and priorities. What do you value about the Visitor Information Centre? How do you currently use the Visitor Information Centre? What do you want to see improved? Your input will help shape the consultancy brief – the instructions given to designers – so that future design work reflects community needs and values.

It’s important to note that while we’re not able to promise that every idea will be implemented, your feedback at this stage will help ensure we’re asking our consultants to look at the right issues and opportunities. Further consultation will take place next year which will include seeking feedback on concept designs.

Stage 1 consultation runs from 24 November to 14 December. There are lots of ways to get involved:

• Share your ideas on this My Central Coast page.
• Visit our community drop-in session on Monday 1 December at the Penguin Senior Citizens' Club from 11am to 7pm.
• Speak with the Strategic Growth team at Council’s Ulverstone office.
• Keep an eye on Council’s website, social media, and the Antenno app for updates.

All feedback will be collected, analysed, and used to inform the consultant brief early next year.

What can the community influence?

Your ideas will help shape what goes into the new centre and what’s most important to include. You can tell us:

• What features and spaces you’d like to see in the updated building
• How it can reflect Penguin’s identity and character
• How it can be useful for both visitors and locals — for example, with retail, art, or community areas

What can’t the community influence?

Some parts of the project are already decided, including:

• The decision to undertake the project
• The overall project budget
• The location of the Visitor Information Centre
• Parking in the Main Street
• When and how consultants will be hired to do the design work.

We want you to think about what's important to you in a visitor information centre, and how the centre could support our town. Click on each button to give your feedback.