Albany’s National Anzac Centre to continue free entry program for Great Southern locals

Great Southern residents can receive free entry to the National Anzac Centre for another year after a successful initiative to drive local visits to the attraction.

City of Albany councillors on Tuesday unanimously voted to continue a promotion through its League of Local Legends program until June 30 next year, offering Great Southern members free entry to the NAC.

The decision follows a six-month trial, launched in January.

Before the trial, Great Southern residents signed up as league members could receive a 50 per cent discount to the NAC if visiting with a paying customer.

An officer’s report published ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting revealed the free-entry promotion had “attracted significant additional local visitation” to the centre.

During the first three months of the trial, league membership increased by 1204 to 4123, with an increase of 364 visitors from the Great Southern compared to the same period last year.

A 55 per cent increase in overall Great Southern visitors was recorded between January and May this year, compared with the first half of the financial year.

The report stated offering free entry to league members for another year “would not have any material negative impact on entry income” as it was a way to attract visitors who would otherwise not visit the museum.