2015-09-15 Infrastructure and Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             15 SEPTEMBER 2015


Libraries & Galleries
6                        BUTTER FACTORY ARTS CENTRE MANAGEMENT
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Special Projects Officer, Emma O’Neill
                                    Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index                               ECM/ Subject/ 72.04 Butter Factory Arts Centre

Attachments                         Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Special Projects Officer to the Infrastructure & Services
Committee Meeting dated 15 September 2015 and:
A.                       Adopt Option A (as set out in the Report) and authorise the CEO to enter into an
                         agreement with the Cooroy Lower Mill Board to operate the Butter Factory Arts Centre on a
                         12 month trial basis, commencing 1 January 2016; and
B.                       Provide a 12 month operating subsidy of $120,279 to the Cooroy Lower Mill Board on the
                         basis that the Board provide six monthly acquittals.


REPORT
Following considerable community consultation on the operation of the Butter Factory Arts
Centre (BFAC) in 2014/15, Council resolved at the Ordinary meeting on 12 March 2015 to:
A.                       Adopt Option 3 as its preferred option;
B.                       Staff consulting with the Cooroy Lower Mill Board to develop a Business plan and budget to
                         present to Council in a future report; and
C.                       Continue to maintain the Butter Factory and Pottery Shed buildings.

Option 3 proposed a hybrid community management model with the Cooroy Lower Mill Board
(CLMB) as the facility manager, and U3A and Centre for Ceramic Excellence as anchor tenants.

The Special Projects Officer was allocated to lead the development of a business plan in
conjunction with CLMB representatives. With the assistance of Robyn Barrett from Mercer
Enterprises (for financial analysis) the Special Projects Officer has been working with CLMB
representatives on the development of a business plan for the BFAC. Consultation with a number
of key staff within Council has also been undertaken. Through the information gathering process
a number of issues have been identified and it is now evident that a comprehensive business
plan is unable to be completed in a timely manner.

1.                       Current status of the business planning process
Council officers, with the support of CLMB representatives, have commenced drafting a business
plan for the BFAC. Development of the business plan has required the CLMB to undertake a
research process which has included visits to other similar arts facilities. This process has
enhanced their enthusiasm for operating the BFAC and reinforced their belief in providing arts
programs and exhibitions at the BFAC.

                                                                                                     Page 45 of 73