With the development of its performing arts and cultural centre, the Gunnedah district is well on its way to establishing Gunnedah with a state of the art cultural precinct. The Shire of Gunnedah is located in the north west of New South Wales in the Upper Namoi Valley region. It has a population of approximately 12,812 people and is some 450 kilometres from Sydney.
Otherwise called The Civic, Gunnedah Shire’s performing arts and cultural centre is the first instalment in a massive project aimed at developing a cultural precinct within the town and revitalising existing historical establishments. The Civic is a 132 seat cinema, theatre and conference facility that will become a new focus for artistic and community groups, as well as restoring the cinema for the enjoyment of the local people.
In addition to this, Council’s second stage of the project will involve the renovation of Town Hall, the adjacent Smithurst Theatre which seats 140, and the transformation of the Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre to an exhibition arts space, thus completing Council’s plan for an overall cultural precinct.The Civic is innovative in that the cinema is managed by Council and has a team of eight volunteers to work the projectors. The cinema kiosk has also provided local youth with the opportunity of casual employment.
Funding for the facility was sought from the Commonwealth Government and NSW State Government, which provided $1.6 million and $75,000 respectively, together with $250,000 from Council and $20,000 from the community.
Businesses, community groups and organisations using the facilities of The Civic, plus future instalments of Council’s project will generate a major boost to economic development for Gunnedah Shire, as well as providing the community with social and cultural activities and facilities.
For further information, contact Council’s Group Manager Services, Brett Stonestreet, on (02) 6740 2130.
