2019-12-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                            10 DECEMBER 2019


Factory Arts Centre. This agreement is to be in accordance with Council’s Community Leasing
Policy and is to retain the current condition which requires an annual review of operations and
finances to assess the satisfactory performance of the facility.
In order to support smooth continuity of operations of the Butter Factory, it is recommended that
Council consider annual funding on a reducing subsidy model to the CFG to support the
operations of the BFAC from January 1 2020 to December 31 2022. Future financing
recommendations are shown in more detail in the Finance section of this report.

5.   Asset Management
Ongoing reviews and condition assessments have all identified the limitations of the building
form, layout and condition in undertaking operations and raising revenue. Particular issues
include difficulties with acoustics and climate control and limited disability access. The CFG have
been proactive in seeking external grant funds to assist with capital works requirements such as
updating the kitchen and installing energy-saving LED lighting.
Facility improvements that the CFG have undertaken from revenue and external funding include:

Capital Expenses              2016/2017        2017/2018      2018/2019

Kitchen                                          $19,536
Computers                         $2,182          $3,404         $1,044
Small Equipment                   $1,663          $1,705          $727
Electrical Improvements                                          $5,545
Office Improvements                                               $940
Shop Fitout                                                       $500
Kitchen Flooring                                                 $1,536
Air conditioning                                                 $4,295
Kiln                                                             $1,498
Total                             $4,625         $24,644        $16,086

In 2014, a building and conditions assessment identified a range of challenges including wall
cracking and ongoing leaks. In 2019, following an increasing number of internal leaks that are no
longer able to be repaired with minor maintenance, an emergent capital works project was
approved to repair the roof and replace the box guttering. This work will be carried out in the
2019/20 financial year and prior to solar panels being installed.
CFG’s planned capital facility improvements in 2020 include:
  installing a false wall in undercroft gallery to protect the existing concrete wall;
  $4,500 contribution towards an electric kiln (other funding paid via grant funding).
Given the age and nature of the building, Council will have to retain responsibility for major
capital renewal works.

6.   Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 12 March 2015, Item 1, Page 9
That Council note the report by the Director of Community Services to the Infrastructure &
Services Committee Meeting dated 3 March 2015 and agree 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.
Note: Option 3 proposed a hybrid community managed model with the Cooroy Lower Mill Board
as the facility manager, and U3A and Centre for Ceramic Excellence as anchor tenants.

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