Letters of support

Here are a few of your written letters to Council and politicians in support of our theatre proposal. Thank you.

Surfcoast Shire Council, in the electoral division of Corangamite, has conducted two feasibility studies, (total cost $60,000). The first successfully established the need for a theatre for community use in Torquay. In November 2018 the second study confirmed the engineering feasibility of converting the soon-to-be vacant Sports and Recreation Centre into a Performing Arts Centre, exhibition space and multi-user venue. Now, merely five months after Council acceptance of the engineering recommendations and design, these findings are being ignored, the project shelved and $65,000 allocated in the draft 2019-20 budget to conduct yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. This will mean that $125,000 will have been spent, at least five years wasted, an arts community disadvantaged and disgruntled – and still no performing arts space! Torquay could have had a workable Performing Arts Space for drama, comedy, music and dance with an area for exhibitions, rehearsal, practice and training. But the Council is not prepared to spend the money to achieve what two feasibility studies have endorsed. Your political party has recently pledged considerably more for a swimming pool in Torquay than the estimated cost of a Performing Arts Centre. While sporting infrastructure is important, the Theatre and Arts Community of the area would like to think that the development of culture deserves some consideration too. Here is a chance, in a marginal electorate, for your party to demonstrate its commitment to the arts with a pledge of $2,000,000. Are you prepared to support the arts?

Regards

Jan Morgan


I find it hard to believe that the Surf Coast Council is about to spend a further $65,000 on yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. Two previous studies in 2015 and 2018, determined the need for a theatre and the practicality of converting the soon-to-be-vacated Sports and Recreation Centre into a theatre and arts space. This has meant the expense of $125,000 of ratepayers’ money on talk and reports! You have asked the community what they want and they have told you. They want a home for community theatre and other performing arts in Torquay – and they want it now. While Council procrastinates with endless feasibility studies the community is missing out on important cultural facility at a modest cost. Young people are missing out on the chance to be involved in the performing arts at the local level, and the entire arts community is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the people paid to facilitate services and venues for all sections of the community – not just sport and recreation. For how long does the wonderful, creative cultural community of the area have to wait to be recognised in a meaningful way?
Kind regards
Jan Morgan

I find it hard to believe that the Surf Coast Council is about to spend a further $65,000 on yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. Two previous studies in 2015 and 2018, determined the need for a theatre and the practicality of converting the soon-to-be-vacated Sports and Recreation Centre into a theatre and arts space. This has meant the expense of $125,000 of ratepayers’ money on talk and reports! You have asked the community what they want and they have told you. They want a home for community theatre and other performing arts in Torquay – and they want it now. While Council procrastinates with endless feasibility studies the community is missing out on important cultural facility at a modest cost. Young people are missing out on the chance to be involved in the performing arts at the local level, and the entire arts community is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the people paid to facilitate services and venues for all sections of the community – not just sport and recreation. For how long does the wonderful, creative cultural community of the area have to wait to be recognised in a meaningful way?

I find it hard to believe that the Surf Coast Council is about to spend a further $65,000 on yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. Two previous studies in 2015 and 2018, determined the need for a theatre and the practicality of converting the soon-to-be-vacated Sports and Recreation Centre into a theatre and arts space. This has meant the expense of $125,000 of ratepayers’ money on talk and reports! You have asked the community what they want and they have told you. They want a home for community theatre and other performing arts in Torquay – and they want it now. While Council procrastinates with endless feasibility studies the community is missing out on important cultural facility at a modest cost. Young people are missing out on the chance to be involved in the performing arts at the local level, and the entire arts community is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the people paid to facilitate services and venues for all sections of the community – not just sport and recreation. For how long does the wonderful, creative cultural community of the area have to wait to be recognised in a meaningful way?

Roger Moulday


Surfcoast Shire Council, in the electoral division of Corangamite, has conducted two feasibility studies, (total cost $60,000). The first successfully established the need for a theatre for community use in Torquay. In November 2018 the second study confirmed the engineering feasibility of converting the soon-to-be vacant Sports and Recreation Centre into a Performing Arts Centre, exhibition space and multi-user venue. Now, merely five months after Council acceptance of the engineering recommendations and design, these findings are being ignored, the project shelved and $65,000 allocated in the draft 2019-20 budget to conduct yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. This will mean that $125,000 will have been spent, at least five years wasted, an arts community disadvantaged and disgruntled – and still no performing arts space! Torquay could have had a workable Performing Arts Space for drama, comedy, music and dance with an area for exhibitions, rehearsal, practice and training. But the Council is not prepared to spend the money to achieve what two feasibility studies have endorsed. Your political party has recently pledged considerably more for a swimming pool in Torquay than the estimated cost of a Performing Arts Centre. While sporting infrastructure is important, the Theatre and Arts Community of the area would like to think that the development of culture deserves some consideration too. Here is a chance, in a marginal electorate, for your party to demonstrate its commitment to the arts with a pledge of $2,000,000. Are you prepared to support the arts?

Marie Moulday


It is sad to see that attempts to provide for the performing arts are in danger of coming to nought once again. What does it say about councillors that a shire of this size has no space for a concert, a play, a ballet, an opera or a musical? Give the talented kids a chance to develop and give the older population of the shire (the ratepayers) something they can use and enjoy. Not every body is besotted with netball and football. And I won’t even start about swimming pools. Come on. Think about it. It is your responsibility.  
Graeme Mills 

Dear Bill & Libby
Surfcoast Shire Council, in the electoral division of Corangamite, has conducted two feasibility studies, (total cost $60,000). The first successfully established the need for a theatre for community use in Torquay. In November 2018 the second study confirmed the engineering feasibility of converting the soon-to-be vacant Sports and Recreation Centre into a Performing Arts Centre, exhibition space and multi-user venue. Now, merely five months after Council acceptance of the engineering recommendations and design, these findings are being ignored, the project shelved and $65,000 allocated in the draft 2019-20 budget to conduct yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. This will mean that $125,000 will have been spent, at least five years wasted, an arts community disadvantaged and disgruntled – and still no performing arts space! Torquay could have had a workable Performing Arts Space for drama, comedy, music and dance with an area for exhibitions, rehearsal, practice and training. But the Council is not prepared to spend the money to achieve what two feasibility studies have endorsed. Local members have recently pledged considerably more for a swimming pool in Torquay than the estimated cost of a Performing Arts Centre.  While sporting infrastructure is important, the Theatre and Art
Kind regards
Robert Pow

You know, someone in the shire is being a real greedhead when it comes to the arts.  In addition to the TTT snub, they want to more than double the rental free for Heartspace in Bellbrae and are now charging artists to participate in the Arts Trail.  We need to find out who is behind this.  It is not “business as noirmal”.  It is a shift away from supporting all the Arts and needs to be brought to the attention of all the voters!  I can see where the shire may not want to help subsidise successful artists, but the vast majority of creative people on the Surf Coast do it for the love of creation and performance and are not in it for the money!
John Adams
Jan Juc

Surfcoast Shire Council, in the electoral division of Corangamite, has conducted two feasibility studies, (total cost $60,000). The first successfully established the need for a theatre for community use in Torquay.

In November 2018 the second study confirmed the engineering feasibility of converting the soon-to-be vacant Sports and Recreation Centre into a Performing Arts Centre, exhibition space and multi-user venue.

Now, merely five months after Council acceptance of the engineering recommendations and design, these findings are being ignored, the project shelved and $65,000 allocated in the draft 2019-20 budget to conduct yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community.

This will mean that $125,000 will have been spent, at least five years wasted, an arts community disadvantaged and disgruntled – and still no performing arts space!

Torquay could have had a workable Performing Arts Space for drama, comedy, music and dance with an area for exhibitions, rehearsal, practice and training. But the Council is not prepared to spend the money to achieve what two feasibility studies have endorsed.

Your political party has recently pledged considerably more for a swimming pool in Torquay than the estimated cost of a Performing Arts Centre.  While sporting infrastructure is important, the Theatre and Art

David Cheatley


Surfcoast Shire Council, in the electoral division of Corangamite, has conducted two feasibility studies, (total cost $60,000). The first successfully established the need for a theatre for community use in Torquay. In November 2018 the second study confirmed the engineering feasibility of converting the soon-to-be vacant Sports and Recreation Centre into a Performing Arts Centre, exhibition space and multi-user venue. Now, merely five months after Council acceptance of the engineering recommendations and design, these findings are being ignored, the project shelved and $65,000 allocated in the draft 2019-20 budget to conduct yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. This will mean that $125,000 will have been spent, at least five years wasted, an arts community disadvantaged and disgruntled – and still no performing arts space! Torquay could have had a workable Performing Arts Space for drama, comedy, music and dance with an area for exhibitions, rehearsal, practice and training. But the Council is not prepared to spend the money to achieve what two feasibility studies have endorsed. Your political party has recently pledged considerably more for a swimming pool in Torquay than the estimated cost of a Performing Arts Centre. While sporting infrastructure is important, the Theatre and Arts Community of the area would like to think that the development of culture deserves some consideration too. Here is a chance, in a marginal electorate, for your party to demonstrate its commitment to the arts with a pledge of $2,000,000. Are you prepared to support the arts? Please consider this and let the residents of the Surf Coast enjoy the performing arts in their own area. This is an opportunity to create a wonderful space for all the community to enjoy. Your’s respectfully,

Anne Lambert


I find it hard to believe that the Surf Coast Council is about to spend a further $65,000 on yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. Two previous studies in 2015 and 2018, determined the need for a theatre and the practicality of converting the soon-to-be-vacated Sports and Recreation Centre into a theatre and arts space. This has meant the expense of $125,000 of ratepayers’ money on talk and reports! You have asked the community what they want and they have told you. They want a home for community theatre and other performing arts in Torquay – and they want it now. While Council procrastinates with endless feasibility studies the community is missing out on important cultural facility at a modest cost. Young people are missing out on the chance to be involved in the performing arts at the local level, and the entire arts community is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the people paid to facilitate services and venues for all sections of the community – not just sport and recreation. For how long does the wonderful, creative cultural community of the area have to wait to be recognised in a meaningful way? Yours Sincerely Sandy Fairthorne Playwright, director, council rates payer

Hi Rose and all!
I just got the news about the study and I was really saddened. As President of Art of the Minds,a growing festival, we have had to reject some fantastic possibilities of performances during mental health month (October), as we don’t have an adequate theatre or performance venue . eg dance troupe as gyms are unsafe facilities for dancers All I hope is that the future sees a limited wait for a much needed venue and that the current evidence is enough to push a decision over the line , minus the feasibility study. 
I find it hard to believe that the Surf Coast Council is about to spend a further $65,000 on yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community.
Two previous studies in 2015 and 2018, determined the need for a theatre and the practicality of converting the soon-to-be-vacated Sports and Recreation Centre into a theatre and arts space. This has meant the expense of $125,000 of ratepayers’ money on talk and reports!
You have asked the community what they want and they have told you. They want a home for community theatre and other performing arts in Torquay – and they want it now.
While Council procrastinates with endless feasibility studies the community is missing out on important cultural facility at a modest cost. Young people are missing out on the chance to be involved in the performing arts at the local level, and the entire arts community is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the people paid to facilitate services and venues for all sections of the community – not just sport and recreation.
For how long does the wonderful, creative cultural community of the area have to wait to be recognised in a meaningful way?
Kind Regards
Jules Haddock
President

Surfcoast Shire Council, in the electoral division of Corangamite, has conducted two feasibility studies, (total cost $60,000). The first successfully established the need for a theatre for community use in Torquay. In November 2018 the second study confirmed the engineering feasibility of converting the soon-to-be vacant Sports and Recreation Centre into a Performing Arts Centre, exhibition space and multi-user venue. Now, merely five months after Council acceptance of the engineering recommendations and design, these findings are being ignored, the project shelved and $65,000 allocated in the draft 2019-20 budget to conduct yet another feasibility study on the cultural needs of the community. This will mean that $125,000 will have been spent, at least five years wasted, an arts community disadvantaged and disgruntled – and still no performing arts space! Torquay could have had a workable Performing Arts Space for drama, comedy, music and dance with an area for exhibitions, rehearsal, practice and training. But the Council is not prepared to spend the money to achieve what two feasibility studies have endorsed. Your political party has recently pledged considerably more for a swimming pool in Torquay than the estimated cost of a Performing Arts Centre.  While sporting infrastructure is important, the Theatre and Arts Community of the area would like to think that the development of culture deserves some consideration too. Here is a chance, in a marginal electorate, for your party to demonstrate its commitment to the arts with a pledge of $2,000,000. Are you prepared to support the arts? With a growing population in Torquay, it’s time politicians of all persuasions made finances available to develop a viable theatre facility within the town boundaries. Stuart Spark
Tell people about this page...