Meeting papers

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                      10 SEPTEMBER 2024


6.1     NOOSA CULTURAL PLAN 2019-2023 IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE


Author             Arts and Culture Manager, Paul Brinkman
                   Community Facilities | Community Services Department
Index              ECM/ Subject/41.22 – Social Policy
Attachments        1.   Att 1 - 2023 Cultural Plan Report


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 has been the guiding document for Council’s activity in the arts
and cultural space, ensuring a planned and strategic approach to arts and cultural services through
a period of significant challenge and change. The plan was based around 6 themes: History &
Heritage, Knowledge & Learning, Places & Spaces, People & Participation, Cultural Economy and
The Digital Future.

The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 aligned with Council’s Operational Plan 2019, subsequent
annual Operational Plans and the Corporate Plan 2023-2028 to provide direction and purpose to
Council’s commitment of growing and supporting arts and cultural practice and engagement.

Major achievements during the period of the plan included the creation of a Heritage Noosa unit,
development of the Heritage Noosa online platform with over 15,000 items (and growing), the
expansion of Outreach Library Services including the implementation of two book-vending kiosks
and a new mobile Library vehicle, presentation of the Floating Land outdoor art biennale exhibition
in 2019, 2021 and 2023, ongoing commitment to the RADF grants program in partnership with Arts
QLD and multiple COVID-19 recovery related programs hosted across Council’s arts and cultural
facilities.

The major infrastructure need identified in the Cultural Plan was to explore options for the ageing
Noosa Regional Art Gallery. During the period of the Cultural Plan significant exploratory work was
undertaken to research the feasibility and benefits of a new Noosa Regional Art Gallery. Two pre-
feasibility studies were completed by consultants Outside The Square, leading to the engagement
in late 2023 of Knight Frank Australia to complete a detailed business case for the proposed project.
Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive towards the prospect of a modern cultural
space that celebrates the Noosa region and its creative capital. In the face of an existing gallery that
is no longer fit-for-purpose, this major piece of infrastructure is essential to support our region’s
creative practitioners and nurture a culturally literate, engaged and healthy community.

Council’s support of arts and cultural practice and engagement throughout the reporting period
recognises the crucial role the arts play in nurturing a healthy, resilient and connected community.
Council’s arts and cultural initiatives directly increased community wellbeing, helped the community
in times of crisis, reduced loneliness and isolation and created a sense of community identity. At
the conclusion of 2023, the final year of the Cultural Plan, over 92% of Plan actions were either
completed or underway. This is a major achievement for Council’s Arts & Cultural team, the many
volunteers that assist Council’s arts and cultural services and the community groups that partner
with Council to provide access to cultural experiences. This report provides an overview of the
activities and actions that have been undertaken by Noosa Council in response to the Noosa Cultural
Plan 2019-2023.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Arts and Culture Manager to the Services & Organisation
Committee dated 10 September 2024 regarding the conclusion of the Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-
2023.



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