2018-12-11 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                11 DECEMBER 2018


2.    Purpose

The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019 – 2023 will be a key Council planning document aligning with, and
supporting, Council’s Corporate Plan, Social Strategy and our vision “Noosa Shire – Different by
Nature”.

The Plan recognises the value of arts, culture and heritage to the Noosa community, and to Council
itself. It aims to secure a healthy future for the cultural sector based on shared aspirations and
priorities and outlines a range of goals and actions across the coming five years to 2023 to build
on existing strengths, address essential gaps and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Importantly it articulates the role of Council in the delivery of the Cultural Plan and seeks to harness
and direct available resources and stakeholder support to achieve a healthy future for the cultural
sector.

3.    Methodology

The development of the draft Cultural Plan has largely been undertaken in-house through the
Community Services Department.

A Cultural Plan Reference Group was established in 2017 to provide advice and guiding support
for the duration of the development of the Cultural Plan. In addition, the Heritage Reference Group
has provided advice regarding the heritage aspects of the Plan. Both Reference Groups are
chaired by a Councillor and contain a mix of external stakeholders and key internal officers.

As a starting point for the planning process, Cathy Hunt of Positive Solutions, was contracted to
research and write a paper exploring some of the significant factors which should be considered
in the development of a local Noosa cultural strategy.

The research phase of the planning process also included:
• An audit of existing and proposed arts, culture and heritage activities, facilities and
   organisations in Noosa Shire;
• A literature review of the regional, state and national arts, culture and heritage sectors;
• Examination of arts, culture and heritage trends and their implications for the Noosa region;
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the local arts, culture and heritage sectors; and
• Identification of arts, cultural and heritage opportunities through events, services, partnerships
   and infrastructure.

Broad community and stakeholder engagement was undertaken in two phases: prior to, and
following, the development of the draft Cultural Plan.

The draft Noosa Cultural Plan was revised to produce a final version following consideration of the
feedback from the community consultation and input from other stakeholders.

4.    Consultation on Draft Noosa Cultural Plan

Public consultation regarding the Draft Noosa Cultural Plan occurred from July – September 2018.
This consultation phase included:
 The draft Cultural Plan, Vision Statement and information being provided online through
   Council’s YourSayNoosa webpage;
 Online discussion and feedback;
 Information sessions and displays at major Council venues;



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