Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 Implementation Update · Report

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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                       10 SEPTEMBER 2024



REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the progress of Noosa's Cultural
Plan.

The Cultural Plan 2019-2023 spanned a period of unprecedented change and challenge, both within
the Noosa region and across the globe. Natural disasters together with the global pandemic of
COVID-19 not only required Council to quickly re-assess priorities but also presented significant
unforeseen costs.

During this time of shared stress and uncertainty within our community, the purpose of Noosa
Council’s Cultural Plan was stark; to recognise the value of arts, culture and heritage in fostering a
healthy, resilient and cohesive community. At no other time has cultural activity played such an
important role in helping people make sense of and process an ever-changing world. Noosa
Council’s commitment to implementing the Cultural Plan resulted in a range of outcomes that
inspired our community, reduced social isolation, and facilitated community and civic participation.

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. The summary report (refer Attachment 1)
provides details on the work undertaken through the Cultural Plan.

Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No 1 - Environment
Focus areas include the natural environment, built environment, waterways and coasts and conservation
and heritage.
1.4 Discover, respect, conserve and celebrate Noosa's unique heritage values in all forms, for current
and future generations.

Theme No. 2 - Liveability
Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable an
inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
2.3 Nurture arts and culture to enrich the identity and vibrancy of communities, highlight local talent,
celebrate First Nations culture and encourage creative participation and expression.
2.6 facilitate strong, vibrant and inclusive communities where people have a sense of belonging and are
active participants in a rich community life.

Theme No. 3 - Prosperity
Focus areas include economic development, local business, innovation, arts and culture, waste and a
circular economy.
3.6 Grow and enhance the cultural and creative economy through partnerships and delivery of programs,
events and the development of a signature regional art gallery.

Theme No. 4 - Future
This theme is focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to
ensure our community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus on youth, climate resilience and
adaptation, sense of place and destination management.
4.3 Improve opportunities for increased inclusion of young people in community engagement and
decision-making to provide relevant services, activities and opportunities.

Theme No. 5 - Excellence
This theme focuses on customer experience, financial sustainability, innovation and technology, levels of
service, governance, our employees and volunteers, funding streams and asset management practices.
5.9 Ensure that all residents located throughout the Shire, both hinterland and coastal areas, have
equitable access to the provision of quality assets, facilities and services.

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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                       10 SEPTEMBER 2024




Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting 20 December 2018, Item 10, Page 9
That Council note the report by the Manager, Libraries and Galleries to the Services and
Organisation Committee dated 11 Dec 2018 and:
A. Repeal the Cultural Development Policy of 2012, and adopt the Noosa Cultural Plan 2019 – 2023,
provided at Attachment 1 of this report, and authorise the CEO to make any required minor
amendments to the document prior to publication; and
B. Endorse the proposed Noosa Cultural Plan – 2019 Action Plan, subject to consideration of any
resourcing requirements being determined as part of the 2019/20 budget process.

Ordinary Meeting 16 July 2020
That Council note the report by the Acting Libraries and Galleries Manager to the Services &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2020 and endorse the Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023
- 2020/21 Action Plan included at Attachment 3, subject to budgetary capacity.

Finance
The Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 was not allocated specific funding. The aims and objectives of
the plan guided operational expenditure across arts and cultural services and provided the impetus
for projects that attracted grant funding from state, federal and private foundation sources.

Risk & Opportunities
The final report of the achievements of the Cultural Plan provides an opportunity to reflect on the
challenges facing future Council activity in the arts and cultural space and clearly identify those areas
that Council needs to focus on to make positive change. Key areas that require a concerted approach
include:
   •   supporting our creative industry practitioners to prosper as professionals
   •   including arts and cultural considerations at the design stage of Council capital works and
       infrastructure projects
   •   Identifying underutilised facilities that can be used for creative content or production
   •   Improving and expanding Council’s public art offerings
Council remains committed to supporting arts and cultural practice within our community, helping
our cultural industries thrive and positioning our region as a place of cultural expression, challenging
ideas and innovation. We are committed to maintaining our momentum in the cultural space and
working with our creatives to bring the best arts and cultural experiences to our region.

Building on these successes with the Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023, we will develop and implement
the Noosa Cultural Plan 2025-2030 to guide Council’s activities and support both the region’s arts
and cultural practitioners and the audiences of their output.

Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.

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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                         10 SEPTEMBER 2024




Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
This final report on the Cultural Plan 2019-2023 is an internal report.


Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:

    Office of the CEO, Mayor &               Community Services              Corporate Services
            Councillors
     Mayor & Councillors               �    Director                      Director
     Chief Executive Officer           �    Community Development         Financial Services
     Executive Officers                     Sport & Active Lifestyles     Fleet
     Community Engagement              �    Arts & Culture                Revenue Services
     People & Culture                       Community Connection          ICT
     Governance                             Customer Experience           Procurement

                                                                          Commercial Property

     Strategy & Environment                Development & Regulation       Infrastructure Services
     Director                               Director                      Director
     Strategic Land Use Planning            Development Assessment        Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                                                          and Delivery
     Economic Development          &        Local Laws                    Civil and Asset operations
     Destination Management
     Environmental Services                 Environmental Health          Waste
     Innovation & Digital Hub               Building & Plumbing           Building & Facilities
                                            Property / Permits            Disaster Management