Council unveils plan for Kiama cultural future

KATINA CURTIS

KIAMA Mayor Sandra McCarthy has used the launch of the council’s cultural plan to call on the State and Federal governments to adequately fund local government.

“The launch of this cultural plan comes at a time when local governments are stretched more than ever to provide an increasing number of services with a shrinking budget,” Cr McCarthy said at Saturday’s launch.

“I call on the State and Federal governments to recognise, by providing adequate funding, the enormous economic and social benefits that communities reap through investment in these areas.”

The new cultural plan has been in development since October last year and is the council’s recognition of the importance of culture.

Cr McCarthy said “culture” meant something different to everyone and that the plan’s author, Nicky Sloan, had tried to ensure many different definitions were covered.

Ms Sloan wrote: “The Kiama Local Government Area is alive with cultural activity which enriches the lives of its residents and attracts thousands of visitors annually to the area. The area is endowed with great natural beauty and a rich cultural history stretching back to thousands of years of Aboriginal occupation.”

The goals she outlined in the plan were developed after extensive research, including informal consultations with residents and community groups.

The finished plan outlines ways the council can preserve and enhance culture in the region.

These include developing a Kiama Cultural Network and using this to create a cultural newsletter highlighting activities and events, encouraging micro-events and larger festivals held by community groups, developing a permanent exhibition space for work by small grants recipients, exploring options for public art, recognising and respecting significant Aboriginal sites within municipality and creating signage for them and developing self-directed cultural mini-tours.

The plan can be viewed on the council’s website.