2016-08-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   9 AUGUST 2016


The above attendance figures are inclusive of university attendance and all events and bookings
at The J. Significant attendance growth at The J is evident with attendances increasing 17% over
the past year. This brought the total operational cost per visit (exclusive of depreciation and
internal charges) down from $4.14 in 2014/15 to $3.48 in 2015/16, a 15.94% reduction. For
further context, 2015/16 revenue increased by $58,511 (12.71% growth), while expenditure
increased by $59,670 (up 4.97%).

BCC

The Main Hall is leased by Noosa Gymnastics Club who recently received State Government
funding to extend the Main Hall, with works expected to commence at some point in 2016/17.

The Demountable building is currently permanently utilised by Little Seed Theatre Company, with
negotiations underway with the group to commence a community school campus from the
beginning of 2017. It is management’s intention to enter into a lease agreement with the school.

The remaining building, the ‘Annex’, continues to be available to community groups and small
businesses to hire on a casual basis. The Annex is currently utilised by a range of users including
but not limited to the following:

    Little Seed Theatre Company
    Noosa Folk Dancers
    Zumba
    Kids Fitness
    Yoga
    Meditation
    Kings House Church
    GANG Ministries

3.    STAFFING

The J staff also oversee BCC’s operations, therefore this component of the report is combined for
both venues. Staffing levels are currently at 4.7 FTE which is considered extremely efficient when
compared to other similar venues.

It is important to note that the business plan that was noted by Council in late 2015 highlighted
that staff capacity would need to be increased in 2016/17 to improve The J’s ability to grow. The
budget has been moderately increased accordingly but will still be very tight when trying to
deliver the level of events that are now flowing through to the venue. Additionally, existing
permanent staff are working extremely hard across a wide range of hours and this is verging on
becoming unsustainable. Senior management must be mindful of this and should take measures
to prevent employee burnout and ensure the venue’s long-term viability.

4.    SYSTEMS & PROCESSES AND OTHER MATTERS
    Regular reviews and updating of operational systems and processes is ongoing and will
      continue with ongoing reference to the service review and business plan.
    The J fully utilised the $20,000 allocated to trial entrepreneurial events in 2015/16. Two live
      music events were delivered on 21 May and 25 June respectively under the banner of
      ‘Planet Bliss’. These two events were designed to highlight The J’s potential as a live music
      venue and build upon the success of the monthly Sound Feast nights (open mic and up-
      and-coming performers) which commenced in January 2016.
    The first event attracted 421 attendees while the second event saw 338 people attend. The
      second event suffered from a clash with the Verriedale Full Moon Dance and in hindsight
      probably also followed on from the first event too quickly.
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