2020-02-20 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                          20 FEBRUARY 2020


9    ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS

     Nil.


10   CLOSED SESSION

     Nil.


11   PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

     1      BRIAN O’CONNOR
            Question 1:
            Based upon the annual visitation to the Tweed Regional Galley in NSW, the Mayor's plan
            for an iconic gallery for Noosa is likely to attract 70,000 to 80,000 visitors a year, making
            its location a crucial factor in contributing to its status as well as traffic congestion and
            other practical matters, so I ask whether Noosa Council is giving thought to following
            Tweed Shire’s lead in locating its very successful regional gallery at a stand-alone
            hinterland site easily accessible from Highway No.1 and can the Council provide an
            update as to the feasibility study now underway into siting, planning, design, budget,
            construction timing and other pertinent matters associated with a new Noosa Regional
            Gallery in support of a vibrant Noosa arts and cultural scene?
            Response by Kerri Contini, Director Community Services:
            Noosa Regional Gallery, which opened in 1989, is one of the oldest public galleries in
            Queensland. While it has served the community well in the past, a number of internal
            and external reviews have identified the current constraints of the existing facility and
            suggested an extension of the existing Gallery or the construction of a new Regional
            Gallery. The 2019 – 2023 Noosa Cultural Plan identified Noosa Regional Gallery as a
            priority focus area to explore the feasibility of a new signature Regional Gallery which
            better reflects contemporary audience expectations, spearheads cultural momentum,
            exploits cultural tourism opportunities and improves participation outcomes.

            In 2019 Council commenced the formal assessment of a potential major Gallery
            infrastructure project following the Queensland Government’s Project Assessment
            Framework. The audit of the existing Gallery to identify its strengths and gaps has been
            completed and we are now procuring an external consultant to undertake the next stage
            of this pre-feasibility work. This study will provide sufficient detail to enable Council to
            determine whether the investigation should proceed to a full feasibility study regarding
            the development of a new gallery. A location for a potential new gallery has yet to be
            determined and the pre-feasibility study will consider the risks and opportunities of
            possible sites. Considered sites may include maintaining a presence on the Noosa
            River, relocation to a Noosa hinterland site or relocating to one of Noosa’s business
            districts.

            The pre-feasibility study is due for completion by October 2020




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