Council offices and chambers and an endorsement from Archibald Prize winning artist

This week’s project update includes a link to Mayor Denise Knight discussing the council office inclusion in the Cultural and Civic Space on Triple M radio in June 2018, as well the most frequently asked questions from Facebook and an endorsement from one of Australia’s most celebrated artists.

Council offices and chambers

One of the key myths surrounding the Cultural and Civic Space project has been around the inclusion of the Council offices and chambers, and at which point in the project this took place.

Council staff are currently spread across two sites – Rigby House and the Castle Street Administration Building, which is almost 40 years old and is approaching its end of life.

As such, Council has reviewed and investigated many different options for its offices and Council chambers, with inclusion in the Cultural & Civic Space Project being endorsed by council on 11 May 2017. Mayor Denise Knight was very clear on this during this interview on Triple M on 14 June 2018. You can listen to the interview here.

Development Application submissions

Formal submissions on the State Significant Development Application for the Coffs Harbour Cultural and Civic Space have now closed. To receive updates from the NSW Government’s Major Projects portal on the next steps please click here. 

Award winning artist backs project

In a recent visit to Coffs Harbour, Archibald Prize winning artist Ben Quilty vocally shared his support of the Cultural and Civic Space Project.

During a fundraising event by the Friends of Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, Quilty stated he  “wanted to come here to talk to (Coffs Harbour residents) on the cusp of (them) realising real, serious cultural infrastructure.”

““There are little boys and girls like that here in this community who have nothing to aspire to except a core key group of people trying to run a little, tiny gallery against all the odds to impress on boys like me that there is more to the world than sport,” he said.

“Mayor I am behind you. I will back you all the way for a proper gallery. The way to make a community healthier and a better place to grow, build upon and celebrate is through the arts.”

Born in Sydney, Quilty is a multi award-winning artist who is particularly known for portraiture, including the 2011 Archibald Prize winning painting of Margaret Olley and 2009 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize winning painting of Jimmy Barnes. In 2011, Quilty was official war artist for the Australian Defence Force.

Image left to right: Cr Amos​, Cr Swan, Ben Quilty, Mayor Knight, Cr Cecato and Cr Adendorff

This week’s FAQs from Facebook

How will the development be eligible for grant funding when it includes council offices?

While the Council office aspect of the building will not be eligible for grant funding, there are many other aspects of the space that will. These include but are not limited to the library, museum and gallery.

With approximately 70% (floor space) of the development being cultural, cultural infrastructure grant opportunities can be pursued if the cultural aspects of the project satisfy the conditions of the grant opportunity. 

Previously Council has applied for 2 grants, these were not successful, in essence due to the fact that the project was not progressed enough at the time to be awarded. Council will be actively applying for grants when they open. Amounts applied for will depend on the grant criteria once they open.

Why is there no mention of council offices on the scrim at the Gordon street site?

The current scrim displays the Cultural and Civic Space logo. The previous fence scrim displayed the proposition of a new library and gallery at the site.

The library and gallery were just two of the many cultural and civic facilities included in the original concepts. All of the three architect concepts incorporated council offices as a result of a Council resolution in 11 May 2017 where it was resolved to include the council offices. The concept designs are available here: https://haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/cul.../documents. In the schematic design of the Cultural and Civic Space, Council offices and chambers account for approx. 30% of the total floor space in the building.

Will rates increase to fund the Cultural and Civic Space?

Financial modelling for the loan that partially funds the Cultural & Civic Space shows that no special rate rises would be required to repay the loan. 

Funding will be sourced from the City’s asset renewal reserves, the sale of four council properties (Rigby House, Castle Street administration building, Rose Avenue offices and the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum) and from a loan. Grant funding will also be sought, to reduce the loan requirements.

Coffs Harbour City Council will need to borrow approximately $46.02 million. Financial modelling shows the City is in a strong financial position to borrow this amount.

To find more facts on the Cultural and Civic Centre Space project visit heartofcoffs.com.au.