Page 4191 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 21 September 2011
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Arts—Fitters workshop
MS BRESNAN: Minister, in relation to the Fitters Workshop, the proposed relocation of Megalo printmakers into the Fitters Workshop has caused considerable distress amongst the Canberra music community. Given the community outcry and the fact that industry specialists have expressed support for the preservation of the building’s unique acoustics, what steps did the government take to reconsider their decision regarding this matter?
MS BURCH: The government has received significant correspondence concerning the Fitters Workshop, with strong views expressed both for supporting the decision to relocate Megalo and to retain the workshop as a music venue. When I became arts minister I examined the arguments around this issue and met with stakeholders, and the government has decided to hold to its decision to incorporate Megalo into the Fitters Workshop as a key activity for the Kingston art precinct.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Bresnan, a supplementary.
MS BRESNAN: Minister, given the Chief Minister suggested Albert Hall was a viable alternative to the Fitters Workshop, what acoustic improvements are being undertaken, how are they progressing and when will the hall be available for the staging of live music events.
MS BURCH: There have been significant improvements undertaken at Albert Hall. In one of my meetings with the stakeholders other issues were raised, and they are in discussion with artsACT.
Arts—Loxton review
MS HUNTER: Minister, in relation to the government’s response to the Loxton report, the report recommended a considerable suite of changes to the Cultural Facilities Corporation, including the establishment of an historic places trust, the devolution of the Canberra Theatre and the division of CMAG into separate museum and gallery functions. The government, however, has chosen to accept the advice of the ACT public sector review, which recommends the Cultural Facilities Corporation retain the status quo. What recommendations or insights did the public sector review provide that addressed the structural inefficiencies identified by the Loxton report.
MS BURCH: As mentioned, the government has no plan to split the corporation into separate entities to manage the theatre, historic places or the museum and gallery. The Hawke review came after the Loxton review, therefore, the government only noted that recommendation.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary.
MS HUNTER: Given that the government’s response to the Loxton report details the government’s intention to foster a performing arts hub at the Street Theatre, how will the $3.2 million allocated towards extending the capacity of the Street Theatre address the lack of purpose-built venues for dancers in Canberra?
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