2018-05-08 S&O Committee - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Draft Noosa Cultural Plan

Local Challenges and Issues


In addition to the global challenges and
opportunities which impact arts, culture and
heritage in Noosa, there are specific local challenges
and issues including:

•     Stakeholders are concerned that local cultural        •   Many residents want to participate in cultural
      facilities aren’t of a high enough standard and           activities but increasingly don’t particularly
      don’t meet local needs particularly for specific          want to join a group or organisation, and are
      cultural forms.                                           reluctant to take on organising or committee-
                                                                type roles.
•     Rising living costs, particularly affordable
      accommodation, and market competition                 •   There is a recurring vocal commitment to
      mean that it is difficult for artists to make a           environmental values however this isn’t
      living without alternate income streams. While            specifically demonstrated in local creative
      artists might desire to live in the Noosa region,         outputs or programs beyond Floating Land.
      financially it is very challenging to do so. Unless
      in the professional design or digital creative        •   Incoming residents and visitors, particularly
      sectors, average incomes are in the lower                 those from metropolitan areas often have high
      industry brackets at $785 per week.                       expectations in terms of venue and service
                                                                delivery.
•     While there is a general sense that Noosa
      has a strong cultural sector this may not be          •   Noosa’s geographic proximity places it on
      the reality, particularly from an economic                the fringe of the south-east Queensland
      perspective. While participation in hobby/                metropolitan local governments however this
      amateur arts is high there is minimal evidence            frequently excludes it from regional programs
      in the professional arts realm unless it is in the        and funding.
      design sector.
                                                            •   Visually Noosa is not viewed as a creative
•     There is a fragmentation between the different            or cultural place. Public art is limited and of
      creative sectors and a sense that organisations           varying standards.
      are competing with each other.
                                                            •   While the sentiment is expressed to provide
•     Some cultural organisations and event                     greater recognition of indigenous culture, little
      providers are struggling to remain viable or are          has been achieved to date.
      relying on one or two key individuals to keep
      things going.




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