Published on Thursday, 29 April 2021 at 1:12:59 PM
Council has authorised the Town to engage an external consultant to identify future entertainment, arts and cultural infrastructure requirements and investigate opportunities for an arts and culture precinct in Hedland.
The Town’s current arts and culture centre, the Matt Dann Theatre and Cinema, is a shared facility with Hedland Senior High School built in 1986 with capacity for 302. Projected population increases have necessitated the establishment of a modern, fit-for-purpose facility to meet community demand.
Other arts and culture locations in Hedland include the Courthouse Gallery+Studio, Port and South Hedland Library, the South Hedland Town Square, Spinifex Hill Studio, Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre, Dalgety House Museum and year round events and community engagement programming across town.
The scope of consultancy work will include consolidating existing relevant research, reviewing existing and planned sites for co-location opportunities, considering current and future economic and demographic projections and providing projected costings and funding opportunities for decision makers.
The Town’s Arts and Culture Strategy 2019-2022 highlights that Hedland’s arts and culture infrastructure is spread out, rather than being integrated into one hub. Further, key Town-owned facilities are aging and no longer able to fulfil their intended role.
Mayor Peter Carter welcomed Council’s decision, reflecting on a bright future for arts and culture in Hedland.
“Arts and culture plays a central role in setting the stage for active, liveable regional communities, which is why Council authorised the Town to investigate options for creating new arts and culture spaces for Hedland to enjoy into the future.
“The Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema is a highly valued asset, programming year round entertainment and consistently receiving positive feedback from the community. However, it is in its fourth decade of use and can no longer meet the needs of our growing population.
“Importantly, the consultant’s work will include projected costings and funding opportunities, enabling Council and the Town’s leadership to ascertain the feasibility of various options.”
For media information:
Laura Hawes
Manager Corporate Affairs
(08) 9158 9365 | lhawes@porthedland.wa.gov.au
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