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

                                                                    Service Review 2014-15
                                                                                                  The J

Depending on Council’s future expectation and direction for The J, there may be options to divest
some components of activities at The J. However, if the decision was to divest partially or completely,
fixed costs would still remain; including but not limited to building maintenance, administration and
depreciation.

Furthermore, if The J was divested to a commercial operator with Council still requiring the provision
of community events, such divestment would require a guarantee against any loss. This would be
similar to the agreement between Brisbane City Council and Ogden in managing the Brisbane
Entertainment Centre. Alternatively, a considerable reduction in community-based activities may be
required.

Similarly, if The J was managed by a Board, commercial principles would be applied, with an ongoing
expectation of funding support from Council to continue the provision of community events, etc.

Divesting to a particular community group is not advisable. It is unlikely that a community group
would be able to cover the operational costs. Additionally, there is the risk of a narrow focus based on
the community group’s areas of interest.

  RISK – Commercial or Shareholder Model of operation may prohibit community use.
 Furthermore divestment of The J operation to a community group may result in a narrow
 focus of use for the facility.

10.9.3 Other
Facility Expansion – single focus service delivery – Section 10.4 and Attachment G explores
events/theatre configurations and usage. Should the preliminary changes suggested by the architect
be undertaken, the multi-purpose nature of the venue will be reduced, with a greater reliance on
theatre performances alone.

 OPPORTUNITY – Investigate viability to increase the seating capacity to approximately 450
 while retaining the variety of configurations required by user/community groups.




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