Local Government in NSWRegional and Public Galleries NSW Conference12 March 2016Sally WattersonProject ManagerArts and Culture

sally.watterson@lgnsw.org.au

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The peak industry association that represents the interests of all 152 NSW general purpose councils, 12 special purpose councils and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

LGNSW began as the Municipalities Association in 1883.

LGNSW

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Member Services

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Policy Areas

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Fit for the Future

LGNSW Position:

Voluntary, not forced amalgamations,

Fix the Funding First - an end to rate pegging, fewer rate exemptions, addressing regulated fees and charges, an end to cost shifting and appropriate direct funding.

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Merger Proposals

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Joint Organisations

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LGNSW Amalgamation Toolkit

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Arts and Culture Policy Area

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LGNSW Research 2015/16 Preliminary Findings

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Feedback from Councils re MergersLGNSW Arts and Culture Research with GMs and from Council staff;

• ‘opportunity, particularly around spaces’ Large Western Sydney LGA cultural staff member

• ‘could delay capital works’ Large Western Sydney LGA cultural staff member

• ‘little evidence from other States experience specific to arts and culture, however, lots of town halls became available in Melbourne in 94/95’ National Local Government Cultural Forum

• ‘JO’s should directly employ an arts and culture officer – like the tourism model, not sitting outside the JO’ Pilot JO GM in small regional LGA

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• ‘Not much of a problem as we work together out here anyway’ GM in small regional LGA

• ‘We haven't really given it much thought but cultural staff already collaborate at our level’ Medium southern Sydney metro LGA cultural officer

• ‘Libraries already do it to a large extent’ Librarian

• ‘I fear with the loss of our experienced councillors and bipartisan approach to support we will lose much of our flexible and diverse support for artists and art in the public domain. We will need to educate Councillors again’

• ‘Our experience of merging previously was the length of time it took to get a new culture plan, to free up funding from older facilities and groups…Hopefully new funds for asset renewal will be invested in to cultural infrastructure and also ephemeral projects across our communities. I hope that there is a  pooling of expertise’ Medium Southern Sydney metro LGA cultural officer

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Regional Arts Board Governance Review

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LGNSW Arts and Culture Forum 2016Friday 29 April 2016

NSW Parliament House