Council defends theatre rates

Gosford Council's director of community services and organisational development Mr Terry Thirlwell has defended increases in hire rates for the Peninsula Theatre.

"The rate is based on an equitable amount for community groups."

Local community and performing arts groups have complained that are struggling to afford hire costs since they were increased at the start of the financial year.

Mr Thirlwell said an increase was determined as part of last year's budget process.

"General increases in cost can be attributed to increases in material cost, staff salary, electricity and a number of other factors that need to be considered by council when planning its budget for the financial year," Mr Thirlwell said.

Based on council's commercial hire rates for the Peninsula Theatre, it costs $95 per hour to hire the facility during the week, $115 per hour on Saturdays and $155 per hour on Sundays.

"Council offers a commercial rate as well as a special discounted rate for community groups wanting to use the facility," Mr Thirlwell said.

"This is a percentage of the commercial rate and can be up to half if not more of the commercial rate.

Mr Thirlwell said there were no proposed changes to theatre hire fees for the next financial year.

He said community groups who approached council and could not afford the cost of hiring a council-run facility were looked after.

"When community groups can no longer use the facility we sit down and discuss the situation with them and look for alternative venues," Mr Thirlwell said.

Drama school founder Ms Amanda Benson said a new hall being built at St John the Baptist Primary School would provide local groups with a great alternative venue for classes, rehearsals and performances.

"The fabulous new venue at St John the Baptist is going to be very beneficial to the whole community as many community theatre and dance groups cannot afford the continuing cost that Gosford council are putting on the Peninsula Theatre," Ms Benson said.

"The first term we will be in the multipurpose room at the school with the new hall due to open around Easter.

"The fabulous new hall with a huge stage and the latest lighting will be wonderful for the children to rehearse our annual productions."

Umina resident Ms Margaret Whiting said she had been organising group theatre bookings for Probus Club members on the Peninsula for more than seven years and would hate to see the Peninsula Theatre become a "white elephant".

"The Peninsula Theatre is an excellent small theatre with easy access and plenty of parking," Ms Whiting said.

"Both theatres have provided some excellent entertainment over the years for the ratepayers of the community and visitors to the area.

"It would be a shame to see them become white elephants because council has made it too difficult for patrons, entertainment and community groups to access them.

"Council should consider making more money from these valuable community assets by setting rents that would make them more accessible to more entertainment and community groups and with better and earlier advertising of events and productions."

Clare Graham, 17 Feb 2010 Interviewee: Terry Thirlwell, Gosford Council Email, 1 Feb 2010 Amanda Benson, Amanda Benson Drama School Letter, 8 Feb 2010 Margaret Whiting, Umina