2018-04-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                      10 APRIL 2018


3                        FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR POMONA ARTS INC.
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Director Community Services, Alan (Fox) Rogers
                                    Community Services Department

Index                               ECM/ Customer/ Pomona Arts Inc & Subject/ Heritage/Historical Cultural
                                    Heritage

Attachments                         Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State Heritage listed Majestic Theatre built in 1921 is one of the Noosa hinterland’s most
iconic and well-loved buildings. It is owned and managed by Pomona Arts Inc (PAI). PAI is a not
for profit community organisation who have successfully activated the building for the past twelve
years through film screenings, theatrical and community events.

Like all heritage buildings, the Majestic Theatre is expensive to maintain and operate and PAI
has struggled to meet its mortgage and overdraft payments for a number of years. In order to
continue to operate the PAI Management Committee has undertaken a major fund raising drive
over the past year, which has seen their operating position improve in the short term. However,
the amount of time and effort involved in undertaking this campaign has been significant and in
the longer term there is a major risk that the PAI’s volunteer management committee will burn out
and the building will revert to the mortgagor.

In 2006, Council, recognising the historical and cultural importance of the Majestic, contributed
$198,000 to a major refurbishment of the building. The state and federal governments also made
significant contributions to this upgrade. Some twelve years later, the building is once again
vulnerable as the PAI finds itself in financial difficulties and unable to undertake programmed
maintenance.

Given this background, it is timely for Council to consider ways in which it can support the PAI to
continue to operate and manage the Majestic Theatre and also to ensure that this important
community asset is properly maintained. In this regard, an important first step is the development
of a Conservation Management Plan.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Community Services to the Services and
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 April 2018 and agree to:
A.                       Undertake a condition assessment of the Majestic Theatre with a view to developing a
                         Conservation Management Plan and a schedule of programmed maintenance for the
                         building in conjunction with Pomona Arts Inc;
B.                       Allocate $16,667 from the Heritage Levy, as a one off payment to assist Pomona Arts Inc
                         to remain sustainable on the following conditions:
                         1.   These monies are used for the heritage component of Pomona Arts Inc activities;
                         2.   Pomona Arts Inc develops a business plan that demonstrates how they will reduce
                              their operational cost base and improve their financial position to ensure sustainability
                              over the next three years;




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