​

Councillor Roy McCullagh's Question to Council 

​

ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 31 OCTOBER 2022
PAGE 263
ITEM - 14.7 Question With Notice 18/2022 - Haven Amphitheatre Update
14.7 QUESTION WITH NOTICE 18/2022 - HAVEN AMPHITHEATRE UPDATE
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: LINDA PERRINE – COMMUNITY, CULTURE & LEISURE DIRECTOR
AUTHOR: MICHAEL CASHIN – COMMUNITY LIFE MANAGER
CITY STRATEGY OUTCOME: 3.6 – ACTIVATE LOCAL SPACES IN CREATIVE WAYS
MEETING DATE: 31 OCTOBER 2022

 

QUESTION
Submitted by: Councillor Roy McCullagh

Could I please have an update on the plans (if any) to upgrade the Haven Amphitheatre?

Are we still talking to the Government about matching our investment?
A number of residents have reached out to me requesting an update.

 

RESPONSE
Background

Development application DA 2016/283 for the reconstruction of the stage and associated site works was approved in March 2018.

This consent will lapse on 24 March 2023.
The construction of the stage proposed under DA 2016/283 did not progress due to stakeholder resistance to the proposed design and a lack of funding.
At the Council meeting of 29 March 2016, the Council received a report which recommended that Council fund 50% of construction of the new Haven stage, with the remainder the funds to be sought from Government grants and community contributions.
On 8 May 2017, the Council allocated 50% of the cost of the new stage in the 2017/18 Operational Plan for an amount of $544k, noting that the balance of the stage re-build cost ($544k) was to be funded from grant or community contributions. The Council also committed a $300k contingency to fund disability access ramps if required at this time.
The balance of funding was never secured.

Subsequently, Council completed a project to provide a natural earth stage at the Haven. This project was funded by the NSW Department
of Heritage at a cost of $68k and was completed in December 2021.

Current status
Council currently facilitates the use of the Haven as a community asset at no cost to community and performing arts groups.

A number of community events and theatre productions have been successfully held at the site during 2022.

Further events are scheduled in November and December 2022.
Council does not have a current project allocated within the Operational Plan or Delivery Program to upgrade the Haven Amphitheatre.

As such, no funds are allocated for upgrading the Haven Amphitheatre within the long term financial plan.

Council is not seeking government funding for the reconstruction of the stage at this time.
An update on the status was recently provided by the Mayor....... [FoH Admin - see  here].

This update included the current status of the site and the process to book the site for performances and events.

ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 31 OCTOBER 2022