2015-09-15 Infrastructure and Services Committee Att 2 to Item 4 The J Service Review 2014-15

                                                                   Service Review 2014-15
                                                                                                  The J

10. Discussion

Since opening, The J has been operating as a multi-purpose venue catering for youth, community,
culture and arts. This approach is in line with the final vision for The J which matched the funding
criteria for the construction of the facility.

The services and activities offered at The J are not mandatory; however The J was originally funded
to include community support and activities. These services and activities have continued to be
provided with expectation from existing community user groups that they continue.

Assets and amenities such as the theatre, retractable seating, quality sound, lighting and technical
equipment, stage and performer’s facilities are unique in the Noosa area and provide for a range of
events and activities. There are no other facilities locally that provide the performance, technical
capacity and configurations of The J.

10.1 Background
   In the year 2000, the need for a youth and community centre was identified within the Noosa
    community.
   In 2003 the Community Auditorium Working Group presented a report which recommended an
    auditorium of approximately 500 seats.
   Through the extensive research and discussion undertaken by the Youth & Community Centre
    working group, the vision for The J broadened as it was developed, with a broader community
    function centre added to attract funding.
   Capacity as a cultural facility was added with support from the Noosa arts community, with theatre
    style seating a last minute addition.
   Venue hire to commercial enterprises was intended as a means of subsidising achievement of the
    other objectives.
   The hybrid expectations of The J impacted its physical form during the concept and design
    process.
   In early 2005 Noosa Council approved the development of The J and it opened in November
    2006. Funding for the project was provided through a State Government grant of $1.587M and a
    Federal Government grant of $1.4M, with the balance of funds contributed by Noosa Council.
   The J became a Centre for all members of the Noosa community.

Some spaces of The J are currently leased to the University of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa
Community Radio Station, which provide additional income streams for this venue.

10.2 Venue Hire
The J accommodates the needs of a broad range of users. It is a multi-use facility servicing the
broader community. Further community engagement is aimed to provide additional indication of
customer expectations and to enhance the entire experience at The J. Funding provided by the
Government for the ‘Building the Education Revolution’ (BER) has increased the number of
school/community halls locally, which has impacted on The J by reducing the demand for some
school events (presentations, discos, meetings, etc.) and other similar community activities. However
the J continues to attract an increasingly wide variety of community user groups and commercial
hirers.

It is also worth noting that from January 1 2015, the Bicentennial Community Centre Main Hall is no
longer available as a multi-purpose venue. Some community groups (including Jazz, Chorale) have
already transferred to The J and other groups have relocated to other Council venues resulting in a
marked increase in user demand and enquiry.

Following is an analysis of venue hire at The J for the period 1 January – 30 September 2014.


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