1. Introduction

2. Process

3. Rationale

4. Policies and plans

5. Profile

6. Arts & Culture

7. Consultation Results

8. Issues & Themes

9. Action Plan

WHAT IS CULTURE?

In the broadest sense, culture is everything in human behaviour that is not instinctive. Thus culture refers to our shaping of the environment by the making of implements, shelter and settlements, communication with our fellow community members and the enhancement of our surroundings by creating comfort and the means of enjoyment. The culture of a community is its way of life

The practice of cultural planning, however, requires a related but more focused definition: all the modes of creative expression of a community, including visual, literary and performing arts, architecture, community stories, celebrations and festivals, religious observance, cultural heritage and media which in turn reflect the community's cultural identity.

1. Introduction

This Cultural Plan has been developed following extensive research and consultation with residents and community groups, stakeholders and Council staff. The plan reviews Council's current role in arts and culture and sets out priorities for further enhancing opportunities for participation in arts and cultural activities in the city. It identifies a vision for the future of cultural development and proposes actions and approaches to realise that vision.

Council has developed a proactive approach to cultural programs and facilities. Already we have an outstanding Regional Art Gallery, theatres at Laycock Street and on the Peninsula, a greatly expanded and upgraded library network and a significant cultural development grants program. This Cultural Plan includes initiatives that complement existing programs and facilities and will further develop participation and appreciation of arts and culture.

The results of the research and consultation indicated that there are key issues facing arts and culture in the municipality and these have been distilled into key themes. These themes have been explored and actions have been developed within the themes.

The plan gives priority to the needs of local artists and increasing programs for young people and recognises the importance of local heritage and appreciation of the environment. The plan reflects a view that realising the potential of the arts can provide positive community building outcomes.

Consultation undertaken in the preparation of the Cultural Plan has harnessed the interest and creativity of over 1,300 individuals. We have listened to their comments and contributions and now welcome feedback on the plan.

In implementing the actions contained in the plan, Council will continue to work closely with residents and community groups.

The Gosford Cultural Plan has been prepared by Council officers in consultation with the community and is a strong statement of the values, ideas and visions shared by Council and the community for arts and cultural development in Gosford. It provides a basis for strong partnerships, dynamic project management and the framework for fostering initiative.

Cultural Plan Reference group

Phil Rowland - Director Community Services, GCC
Helen Polkinghorne - Manager Community Development, GCC
Erla Ronan - Team Leader Community and Cultural Development, GCC
Alan Flores - Manager Library Services, GCC
Patrick Corrigan - Manager Visual and Performing Arts, GCC
Tim Braham - Curator Gosford regional Gallery, GCC
Ian Rhodes - Coordinator Parks and Waterways, GCC
Nina Angelo - Chairperson FUSION Steering Committee
Christine Bramble - Cultural Development Officer, GCC and Principal Project Officer

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2. Process to Develop the Plan

The development of Gosford City Council's Cultural Plan builds on the recommendations of the Community Plan 2001 and Council's Strategic Plan 2003-2008. The process followed in developing the Cultural Plan is shown in the diagram below.

The principle background research undertaken was as follows

- Council's previous cultural plan, Gosford - Our Place, Our Life, Our Future, a draft cultural plan was compiled by Able Community Solutions and a review of this document has been included as well as other relevant local, regional and state government plans and policies.

- Australian Bureau of Statistics data was reviewed including census data and data relating to arts and culture, participation and industry structure in Australia.

- An audit and assessment of existing cultural assets was conducted as was a review of Council's current resourcing of cultural activities.

- A database of community groups, government and private agencies, individuals and venues involved in cultural activities was compiled. A census of community groups, government and private agencies and individuals involved in cultural activities was then undertaken.

- The cultural plans and activities of other local government areas in Australia were also investigated to see what could be learned from the experience of others. Highlights of international cultural development were also investigated via the Internet.

This plan has been developed with the views of the local community as its focus. Over an 18-month period a variety of methods was used to seek people's views. Altogether we consulted more than 1,300 people, many of them representatives of organisations with hundreds of members.

The principle consultation and communication components of the project are outlined in the following section.

Public Forums

A total of three public forums of the FUSION Arts and Culture network were held between August 2002 and June 2003. The forums were attended by 225 individuals, many representing organisations. In planning the agenda for the forums with Council, the FUSION Steering Committee sought to encourage open debate and capture the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of participants in shaping the cultural environment of the city. The forums were attended by a wide range of individuals and community and professional groups from the full spectrum of arts activity, including:

* Indigenous culture
* Heritage
* Visual arts
* Youth arts
* Theatre and dance
* Events
* Literature

The forums included special interest groups and workshops on topics such as:

* Issues for the Indigenous community
* Understanding the regional audience
* Ways of promoting arts and culture
* Art in public places

Public meetings were widely publicised through the media and special interest publications such as Council's weekly Arts & Culture "e-bulletin", with the purpose of fostering active engagement in cultural planning in its broadest sense. Feedback was sought from young artists at an emerging artists' forum at Gosford Regional Gallery during Youth Week 2003 and from the general community at a public meeting on the development of an arts precinct in the vicinity of the Gallery.

Other discussion groups contributing to the public consultation included:

* FUSION Steering Committee monthly meetings
* Gosford City Council Heritage Committee
* Brisbania Out Of School Hours Centre (primary age children)
* Gosford City Council Access Committee
* Gosford Senior Citizens' Centre discussion group
* Gosford Youth Council

Community Survey

The primary method of capturing community input was via a structured survey that was launched at a lunchtime concert in William Street Mall, Gosford, in March 2003 as part of Harmony Day celebrations. Surveys were received over a six-week period.

A total of 901 responses were received. The survey addressed issues such as:

* Community awareness of Council's cultural venues.
* Community attitudes to Council's cultural programs.
* Involvement in cultural activities.
* Initiatives that people would like to see in the future.

The survey was distributed widely through Council facilities including Council offices, Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford Regional Gallery, Libraries, the Book Express service and via the Internet. Written responses were received from 401 individuals. In the same period, Markeze Marketing conducted 500 telephone interviews, randomly distributed throughout the city and using the same questionnaire.

Respondents to the survey were from all age groups from 8 to 80 and included people from Indigenous and non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities, newcomers to the area as well as long-established residents and people on lower incomes.

One-on-one Interviews

Interviews of individuals in key positions were also conducted to identify current issues. Interviewees included members of the Indigenous community, arts managers, planners, representatives of community organisations, education, tourism and business leaders. The interview questions sought feedback on the following:

* Ideas about the cultural identity of Gosford.
* The cultural activities that Gosford does well.
* An assessment of how well the city is served by its cultural facilities.
* What arts and cultural initiatives people would like to see in Gosford in the future.

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3. Rationale for the Cultural Plan

Local government has a key role in supporting cultural activities and initiatives that foster a healthy and vibrant community. In addition to managing cultural facilities and other infrastructure, Councils have a role in promoting the diversity of cultural experiences that meet the community's needs.

These experiences can grow out of community initiatives specific to a sense of place, such as Broome's Pearl Festival, which celebrates the commercial and culturally diverse heritage of the Kimberly region. They might emerge from the opportunities afforded by features in both the built and natural environment, like the Sculpture Garden overlooking the waters from Lake Macquarie's Art Gallery Precinct or the interpretive park at Newcastle's Convict Lumberyard site.

Cultural experiences might also be generated from the talent and creative expression of resident artists and performers, and engage a national and international community, such as the Manly Jazz Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival.

In all their character and flavour, these cultural activities draw upon diverse social, economic, environmental and people-based resources in a region and celebrate and enhance the experience of being part of that particular community.

There are tangible benefits from these linkages. Cultural industries nationally generate in excess of $12.0 billion per annum, and almost 13% of average weekly spending on goods and services is allocated to recreational activities. Australians enjoy participating in cultural activities and get personal satisfaction when they can express themselves creatively.

Of the 12 million plus annual attendances recorded at selected cultural venues and activities in the most recent ABS data for the Cultural Ministers Council (2000), cinemas, libraries, museums, art galleries and popular music attracted the highest participation rates. As illustrated in the graph below, the Gosford community records slightly higher participation rates than the Australian national profile of how people participate in arts and cultural activities as consumers. This may be due to the richness of the environment and proximity to the cultural services on offer in Sydney and Newcastle.

National data indicates that people often participate in more than one type of activity. According to the report Australians and the Arts (Australia Council 2000) 9 out of 10 Australians surveyed value having some creative skill, and over 6 out of 10 believe that "the arts should be as much about doing things for yourself as being part of an audience". This participative, interactive engagement in cultural activities provides a rich foundation for community cultural development. Culture is clearly a fundamental part of life and Council is in a unique position to assist in its development.

Gosford City Council takes a planned approach to all its primary roles. It is therefore crucial for Council to have a strategic plan for the support and development of arts and culture. In addition the NSW Ministry for the Arts requires Councils to demonstrate that a strategic cultural plan is in place in order to access grant funding.

Community groups and others seeking to advance or develop the culture of the area can use this plan to guide their activities, confident in the knowledge that it is the result of extensive community consultation. Any group applying for funding will also be able to use this plan to support their applications where requests for funding are consistent with the priorities arising from it.

This section has reviewed the rationale for the preparation of a Cultural Plan for Gosford. Council is in a unique position to lead and support arts and culture. The local and broader policy context for Council's role is set out in the next section.Barchart

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4. Policies and Plans that Promote Cultural Development

All levels of government recognise the importance of the arts and culture in developing and promoting dynamic and vibrant community life. At the Federal level, the Commonwealth Government provides leadership through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

In New South Wales, the Ministry for the Arts takes this leadership role. The Ministry is currently working with the New South Wales Department of Local Government and the New South Wales Local Government and Shires Association to develop cultural planning guidelines for Councils. This will encourage a consistent and strategic long-term approach to cultural planning and development at the local level.

Both the Federal and State governments provide funding programs to support small and large cultural projects. Depending on the program, funding may be available to Councils, cultural institutions, community organisations and individuals that can demonstrate that a given project is consistent with government policies and priorities.

Key themes of current federal and state cultural policy and planning include:

· Respect for the Indigenous population of Australia as the traditional owners of the land and a growing commitment to engage with Indigenous communities.
· Respect for the diversity of the New South Wales and Australian population.
· Encouragement of excellence in artistic endeavour.
· Encouragement of innovation and experimentation.
· Ensuring that everyone in the community can participate in a rich cultural life.
· Recognition of the arts' practice of children and young people.
· Encouragement of partnerships at all levels of community activity.
· Encouraging communities to take ownership of their own cultural development.

At regional and local planning levels there is significant emphasis on developing facilities and programs to enhance quality of life and ensure long-term sustainability of communities. Shaping the Central Coast Action Plan (Planning NSW 2003) envisages a prosperous and vibrant region where people want to live, work, visit and invest. Recently developed regional cultural facilities that support this vision include:

· Gosford Regional Gallery & Arts Centre at East Gosford (Gosford City Council).
· A major festival site at Mt Penang Parklands (Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources).

At the local level the overall direction for Gosford City Council is set by Gosford City – Strategic Plan 2003-2008. This plan sets out a vision of "an excellent quality of life based upon minimum population growth, ecologically sustainable development, the provision and maintenance of effective services and the creation of new employment opportunities". Key recommendations with regard to culture include the development of a cultural plan and the establishment of an annual arts forum. Council's Community Plan 2001 expands on the strategic plan with more specific recommendations such as:

· Building partnerships with Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
· Working with the community to develop the City's calendar of events and festivals.
· Encouraging cultural projects at neighbourhood level.
· Providing cultural opportunities for young people.
· Improving the vibrancy and safety of public places through public and community art projects.

A strong message from the community consultation undertaken as a basis for this plan was the paramount importance of the environment, both natural and built, to the region's quality of life and its cultural identity. In a broad sense, all Gosford City Council's environmental programs are relevant. Council's State of the Environment Report 2003 also identifies a number of programs and actions that specifically complement this Cultural Plan including:

· Completion of Conservation Area studies in the Brisbane Water Plan of Management.
· Small grants to assist with conservation of heritage properties.
· Signage for sites of Aboriginal heritage significance.

Council has long been aware of the significance of the natural environment, in particular the coastal areas. In 1984 it adopted a strategy to develop the Coastal Open Space System and in the past 20 years has systematically acquired private and government owned land towards a 3,000-hectare network of open space. This provides a home for the City's diverse and abundant natural heritage and over 80% of the original vision is now in place.

In 1997, Council commenced a comprehensive provision of community facilities for Gosford.  This $70 million project, known as the Financial Strategy, is the most extensive in the history of the City. The strategy incorporates new and upgrading works throughout the City and has included construction of Gosford Regional Art Gallery, the Peninsula Theatre, extensions to Laycock Street Theatre, new surf club buildings and the redevelopment of Kibble Park in Gosford CBD.

Section 94 funds are collected by Council and form an important funding source for cultural facilities. In managing these funds, Council has directed resources to a number of community and cultural projects such as the new facilities at Erina Fair that incorporate a youth centre and exhibition space.

In planning for community facilities, Gosford City Council draws upon detailed analysis of the current and future needs of the Gosford community.

In 1996, Council commissioned Able Community Solutions to develop Gosford – Our Place, Our Life, Our Future, a Draft Cultural Plan, 1996. This document has been used as a reference tool for Council officers since that time. Rather than making firm recommendations, the document outlined a range of possible future directions and strategies for cultural development. Of these, the following have been pursued by Council:

· Support for an arts and cultural advisory committee.
· Hosting of an annual arts and culture forum.
· Adoption of an assets based community development approach in order to foster an increased sense of belonging to the local area.
· Programs and capital works to improve the liveability and commercial viability of the Gosford CBD, eg Mann Street upgrade.
· Development of the integrated facilities at Erina Fair.
· Publication of a series of community directories.
· Development of a cultural database and directory
· Publication of a comprehensive statistical profile for Gosford.

This section has reviewed relevant plans, policies and funding programs that provide the context for and support cultural planning and development initiatives in Gosford. The next section reviews the physical and social characteristics of the area that will influence the approach to actual development that may be most effective.

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5. Profile of Gosford

Geographic profile

The City of Gosford together with Wyong Shire comprises the Central Coast region of New South Wales, located midway between Sydney and Newcastle. The land was home to the Aboriginal traditional owners for over 2,000 generations before the arrival of the first European settler James Webb in 1823. Residents of both Gosford and Wyong local government areas identify strongly as belonging to the Central Coast.

The City of Gosford is contained within boundaries strongly influenced by the natural environment. The boundary to the east is determined by the Tasman Sea (South Pacific Ocean), joining the northern boundary at Forresters Beach and curving up through Lisarow, passing the settlements of Somersby, Central Mangrove and Kulnura to meet the western boundary at Bucketty. The western boundary winds through the Dharug National Park and along the old Great North Road to the Hawkesbury River at Wiseman's Ferry, meeting the southern boundary which then follows the River downstream to the sea at Broken Bay.

Gosford City is rich in natural resources: open coast, beaches, headlands, escarpments, plateaux, waterways, estuaries and wetlands. It contains diverse landforms, plants and animal species.

Settlement is most heavily concentrated along the coastal strip, in small villages around the shores of Brisbane Water, close to the F3 Freeway, along the Pacific Highway and on the Woy Woy Peninsula. The region is situated close to Sydney and about 30% of the workforce commutes to Sydney each day.

Small villages with a strong sense of identity are isolated by natural features such as waterways and mountains. Limited public transport options are available.

The Central Business District of Gosford faces a similar challenge to many other regional cities. As the civic centre it is less of a business and retailing hub than in earlier times. Erina shopping precinct draws visitors from throughout the Central Coast and the Lower Hunter regions and in addition to retailing, provides a range of services including banking, professional services and community facilities that have been historically associated with a town centre

Demographic profile

This section reviews relevant aspects of Gosford's demographic profile.

The population of Gosford as recorded by the 2001 Census was 154,045 compared with 144,415 in 1996. This represents an increase of 6.67%. The population of Wyong in 2001 was 130,536. At the end of 2003 the two local government areas form a region with a population of approximately 300,000.

The major areas of difference between the Central Coast and New South Wales are as follows:

* some younger age groups (10-14 years old and 20-34 years old) are underrepresented on the Central Coast; and

* in the older age groups (60 years and above) there is a higher proportion of people compared with New South Wales.

Some age groups have shown significant increases in Gosford since the 1996 Census. This applies particularly in mature age groups with the number of 55-59 year-olds, for example, increasing by 30.8% and 80-84 year-olds increasing by 31%. Amongst youth and children, the fastest growing groups have been 10-14 year-olds (9% increase) and 15-19 year-olds (12% increase).

In 2001, there were 2,183 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Gosford, representing 1.4% of the population and an increase of 27% since the previous Census in 1996 when this group made up 1.1% of Gosford's population. Across NSW this group makes up 1.9% of the overall population.

The majority (95%) of Gosford residents originate from English-speaking countries. Amongst those who were not born in an English speaking country there are more than ninety groups with the three largest being from Germany (652), The Netherlands (641) and the Philippines (509).

There are more people on an income of less than $300 per week (40.2%) in Gosford than in New South Wales as a whole (37.4%). Forty-seven per cent of those earning $299 or less per week were aged 55 years and over, while a further 21% were aged 15- 24 years.Line chart he

In Gosford, 35% of people said that they used the Internet, compared with 36.4% across NSW. Slightly more people in Gosford use a computer at home (43%) than in New South Wales as a whole (41.2%)

The city attracts people from all walks of life and amongst its residents are many talented professionals and retired professionals in cultural fields – such as country music, acting, directing, writing and the visual arts.

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6. Arts & Culture in Gosford in 2004

In the development of this Cultural Plan, an assets based community development approach has been taken. This means that the strengths in the community have been identified, and ways of building on these strengths has been explored.

The outstanding cultural asset of the region is the unique natural environment that has a variety of features such as wetlands, waterways, bushland, beaches, forests, parks and undeveloped areas of open space. The natural environment gives residents and visitors alike the opportunity to participate in activities as diverse as cycling, surfing, bushcare and birdwatching through to photography, family picnics and open-air music festivals. It provides both incomparable living space and inspiration.

Gosford has already accumulated significant cultural infrastructure both in terms of facilities, community organisations and Council and community programs. The city has established first-class cultural and community venues providing the community with entertainment, rehearsal, workshop and gallery spaces to promote both the development of skills and the increased participation in creative activities. Cultural facilities operated by Gosford City Council include:

· Laycock Street Bicentennial Theatre (395 seats)
· Gosford Regional Gallery and Arts Centre
· Peninsula Theatre at Woy Woy (125 seats)
· Erina Centre incorporating an auditorium and art room
· New or expanded libraries in an 8 branch network
· Parks and reserves provide the setting for events, eg Brackets 'n Jam at Kincumba Mountain
· Gosford Stadium at Grahame Park

Community groups operate other facilities owned Council. Across the City these facilities encourage the development of skills as well as providing a base of support for local arts and craft groups, artists, performance ensembles, and include:

· Peninsula Community Centre
· Niagara Park Music Rehearsal Facility
· Potters' Workshop
· Handspinners' and Weavers' Cottage

Whilst some of these facilities have been developed recently Council also owns a number of community halls that are aging and not able to meet current community needs.

The State Government, through Mt Penang Parklands, has established a festival site at Kariong that hosts the annual Australian Springtime Flora Festival. In addition, there are cultural venues privately operated as businesses or operated by professional or community groups such as Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Gallery 460, Mad Cow Theatre and Henry Kendall Cottage and Historical Museum. (See Map)

In addition to facility provision, Gosford City Council supports the community with grant assistance for cultural and local studies projects and conservation of heritage buildings. Council also provides officers to assist the community to access its cultural resources. This includes officers at Laycock Street Theatre, Libraries and the Regional Art Gallery that manage the day to day operation of the venues and provide programs such as

· Local Studies programs
· Book Express, that provides book loans to commuters at Gosford and Woy Woy Stations.
· Education programs for visitors to Gosford Regional Gallery
· Youth arts programs at both the Regional Art Gallery and Laycock Street Theatre

Council's Cultural Development Officer provides information and advice to the community and liaison with cultural groups as well as conducting specific cultural development projects. Council's Corporate Relations section works with the community on celebrations such as Australia Day.

The city's cultural directory of groups and individuals reveals a rich diversity of activities with over 120 organisations and businesses as well as hundreds of individuals providing and participating in creative pursuits. These encompass the full range of cultural activity including visual arts, craft, community arts, theatre, music, dance, events, writing and heritage. However, the directory can only ever provide an approximation of arts and cultural activity at any one time.

Whilst there is a large number of groups that have been established for many years the cultural scene is dynamic and fluid. Groups form or disband and individual practitioners arrive or leave the area.

Both mainstream and more innovative arts practice are evident in Gosford and contribute to a healthy cultural landscape. Many of Australia's finest country music stars are residents of Gosford, which could be considered an incubator of country music talent.

Gosford is strong in traditional theatre and musical theatre and this is championed by long standing groups such as Woy Woy Little Theatre Inc. and Gosford Musical Society. The Central Coast Conservatorium is a thriving hub of music education. The visual arts are similarly supported by groups such as the Central Coast Arts Society and the Multi-arts Confederation.

The more experimental end of the spectrum is catered to both through Council's Visual and Performing Arts programs, particularly those for young people, and by community groups. "Brackets 'n Jam" is a community-based group that runs regular events at Kincumba Mountain providing an outlet for spontaneous musical performance and emerging musical groups.

ImaginedArts based at the Central Coast Campus of Newcastle University at Ourimbah taps into the energy and imagination of students to present thought-provoking theatre that addresses sometimes confronting community issues. Indigo Art is an on-line art gallery based at MacMasters Beach that takes the work of Australian artists to the world via the Internet.

The inaugural SpikeFest 2003, a comedy festival developed by Council in memory of Spike Milligan, encouraged the community to take a less serious view of life for a day by "Walking Backwards to Woy Woy". These are some examples of more experimental or "fringe" culture in Gosford.

An audit of arts and cultural organisations sought statistical information on the previous year's activities. This paints a picture of robust engagement in cultural activities, with more than 500,000 attendances at exhibitions, performances, workshops and events in a 12-month period and almost 4,000 subscription memberships of cultural organisations.

In addition to groups that perform, paint or otherwise engage directly in arts practice there are support organisations that concentrate on consultation, promotion, fundraising, networking or advocacy. These include:

· The flagship institutions are supported by community organisations such as the Friends of Gosford Regional Gallery that conduct social, fundraising and awareness raising activities and the Gallery and Theatre Advisory Groups.

· The Multi-arts Confederation promotes arts and crafts events on the Central Coast through a regular newssheet.

· The FUSION network provides a forum for those involved in all aspects of the arts to network and to enter into regular dialogue with Council and other government organisations.

Gosford has a broad range of cultural facilities, some "state of the art" and some aging. It also has a vast array of programs operating. Many are provided by Council and a large number operate independently. The maps on the following pages show the distribution and location of the City's principle cultural infrastructure.

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7. Results from Consultation

Green areas and mountains are a "buffer" of serenity between suburbs.

Woman, heritage advisor

My favourite places are my room, the beach, the park. I like going to my grandparents' place, too...

10-year-old boy

To me, the area screams for a proper portrayal of its seaside beauty. Even fishing heritage can be brought into this "sea" theming.

Man - operator of a private tourist attraction

I propose to have two "guardians" standing on the waterfront at Gosford, as a welcome sign "this area is currently very empty and has become a highway bypass. I believe it's important to provide a visual link between Mann Street and the waterfront.

Man, designer

The Coast is so much a water sports and recreation town...

Woman, community member

Good Library and Arts Centre, great beaches...

Community Plan survey, 2001

I would like more peaceful outdoor places like the Edogawa Gardens.

Woman, community member

We need to break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Woman, community arts worker

Reconciliation is not about one day of the year.

Woman, manager of an Indigenous organisation

It's a very "WASPish" area

Man, state government worker

In my view out beautiful city should be at the forefront of showing its humanity, its optimism and its dedication to being the "City of Peace".

Man, sculptor

I'd like to see plays set in parks - like in the Sydney Botanic Gardens

Woman, community memberPICTURE H

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The consultation has been undertaken over an 18-month period. The major way that residents were able to provide input into the preparation of the draft plan has been through the Community survey. Over 1,300 residents have provided their comments and input into the plan to date. This section reviews the results from the consultation.

The community survey sought responses regarding the level of attendance at cultural venues and awareness of current cultural facilities, and suggestions for initiatives for further cultural development in the city. Comments from interviews with other key stakeholders and the results from the structured discussion in other public forums have also been collated.

All responses have been analysed and common issues identified. The results from the consultation will be a primary contributing element to the strategies and actions proposed in the plan.

One of the main issues to emerge from the consultation is that community spirit is strong in small communities with a distinct identity, such as Bensville, and Mangrove Mountain. However, in their survey responses, people commented on challenges to the region's natural environment and identity from widespread building development and migration from other areas of the state, especially Sydney. This was seen as making it difficult for long-term residents to buy a home in the suburb in which they were born should they wish to do so. There was also concern about a variety of environmental impacts caused by large new residences in place of modest weekenders, such as changing landscapes and depletion of scarce resources.

In part this changing landscape is driven by the proximity to transport links such as the F3 Freeway and the Newcastle-Sydney railway line. Commuting is a significant aspect of the cultural identity of the region.

As the cultural future of Gosford is shaped as much by the present as the past, the community was consulted in order to capture attitudes, beliefs, and expectations about what kinds of cultural experiences are available from the existing cultural infrastructure.

Responses to the community survey

Council's major cultural facilities enjoy a high level of community recognition and approval although the newer and more locally based facilities are less well known.

Survey participants were asked to indicate their awareness of Council's main cultural facilities:

Gosford Library Service

86.5% of respondents agree or strongly agree that Gosford libraries are great places to get books and information. Fewer than 5.5% disagree or strongly disagree. 7.5% do not know - this implies that they do not use Library services.

Of those who expressed an opinion, 93.5% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. See graph below.

Laycock Street Theatre

77.3% of respondents agree or strongly agree that Laycock Street Theatre is a great place to attend a live performance. Less than 2.5% disagree or strongly disagree. 19.5% do not know - this implies that they have not attended a performance at the theatre.

Of those who expressed an opinion, 96% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. See graph below.

Peninsula Theatre

The Peninsula Theatre is a 125-seat community theatre that opened in February 2002 and is still establishing a profile in the community. 25% of respondents agree or strongly agree that the Peninsula Theatre is a great place to attend a live performance. Only 1% disagree or strongly disagree. 74% do not know - this implies that they have not attended a performance at the theatre and reflects its recent development.

Of those who expressed an opinion, 96% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. See graph below.

Gosford Regional Art Gallery

58.5% of respondents agree or strongly agree that Gosford Regional Gallery is a great place to experience the visual arts. Only 2.6% disagree. No one strongly disagreed. 39% do not know - this implies that they do not visit the gallery. Of those who expressed an opinion, 96% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. See graph below.Chart Her

New initiatives

Feedback indicated a generally high level of appreciation by those people using existing services for the range of facilities made available within Gosford. To identify potential new initiatives, the following question has been posed. 'Are there any cultural facilities or activities that you would like to see in Gosford that are not available at present?'

Approximately 40% of survey and questionnaire respondents (359) and all the interviewees answered this question. The responses ranged from modest suggestions such as 'jam sessions for young musicians' to the regionally strategic vision for a concert hall.

The following table summarises the requests for additional cultural facilities in Gosford. In many cases only one person made a request for a specific item but it was possible to see that request fitting into a broader category, eg one person requested 'more graffiti murals' which can be grouped with 'things for young people'. This was taken account of in establishing the rankings.

The table summarises the "top five" requests in rank order.

The request for a large entertainment venue of some kind, especially one with the acoustics designed for orchestral concerts, was the stand out response to this question. While it is not surprising that the priorities of the general public should be different from those of people actively involved in cultural activities, there are themes that are common to both and these are listed below:

· A concert hall is high on the list of requests.
· Outdoor facilities and outdoor activities are important.
· People want to find out more about the region's Indigenous and post 1788 heritage.
· Both the general public and key stakeholders believe that there would be benefits in establishing a community cultural centre.
· People would like more multicultural activities and programs to be established.

Whilst each person interviewed provided a unique perspective, in the course of conducting these interviews a number of themes recurred. These are:

· The region needs to recognise its strengths and celebrate achievements more.
· There are limited opportunities in Gosford for training and employment for artists and performers.

Results from community forums and focus groups

The discussions in community forums covered a variety of interest areas. The issues discussed and proposals put forward were quite varied. As with other methods of consultation, some issues were mentioned repeatedly and appeared as high priorities. There were two main areas of comment.

Opportunities for audience development

· There are those in the community who would like to be able to experience more experimental cultural activities without leaving the area.

· The cost of hiring exhibition or performance venues can translate into ticket prices that are out of reach of many in the community.

· Because of the high number of commuters in the local audience, there is a need for relaxed family oriented activities at the weekend.

Opportunities for artistic and professional development

· There is an opportunity to coordinate the promotion of the variety of arts and cultural activities in the City.

· An Indigenous community worker at Gosford City Council could promote the development of Indigenous culture and professional development of Indigenous artists.

· Indigenous artists and the broader arts community would benefit from access to networking, such as through a community cultural centre.

· Young people would like more opportunities to study and work in the arts, without having to leave the region.

· Both professional and community practitioners feel the need to improve their skills in working with bureaucracies and in arts administration, eg grant submissions, audience development, marketing, business planning and advocacy.

· Practitioners feel the need for more affordable exhibition, performance, rehearsal and meeting space.

· Many community groups consist of predominantly mature and elderly members; their knowledge is at risk of being lost and younger people need to be encouraged to get involved.

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8. Key Issues and Themes for the Cultural Plan

The process for developing the cultural plan has included extensive community research, review of relevant plans and polices and the assessment of "best practice" in cultural development by other local government and community organisations. All material has been assessed within a framework of a commitment to a community development approach, a recognition of the need for access and equity in participation in arts and culture and in the context of Gosford's natural environment which is central to the cultural identity of the community.

The following key themes have been drawn from the research to provide a focus for the development of an action plan.

Theme 1: Gosford is a place for all people

Whilst at first glance the Gosford community is quite homogenous, having a relatively low level of ethnic diversity, there is a growing Indigenous population and an increase in the number of residents that were born in non-English speaking countries. Consultation repeatedly told us that recognition of the Indigenous community and an understanding of our multicultural background was important to the community. These themes also arose in the review of policy and planning documents and what other local government areas had found to be important.

The unique environment with many waterways and open spaces has created a diversity of small communities with distinct identities. However it can be difficult getting from one place to another. This is exacerbated by limited public transport options, the disability levels of the aging population and the youth of many residents meaning they are not able to drive.

Accessibility is very important in the provision of cultural activities. There is a need to ensure that activities happen at a variety of locations and that there is equity in the provision of opportunities for cultural experiences so that everyone can participate.

There is a high proportion of older people yet the proportion in the 10-18 year-old group has risen significantly in the last 5 years. The community has asked for more attention to be paid to the needs of younger people whilst drawing on the skills and wisdom of elders and learning more about the less well-known cultures represented in the population.

Research showed that there are significant numbers of the population whose quality of life and ability to engage with their community may be impacted by low income, unemployment, single parenthood or time spent travelling to work. We need to be aware of the social isolation created by time spent commuting or as a result of not owning a car in an area with limited public transport. Policy consistently recommends that everyone in the community be able to participate in a rich cultural life.

Council can take the lead making Gosford a place for all people. It can develop an inclusive and accessible environment for participation in and enjoyment of the cultural life of the city by developing programs and facilities that:

· Recognise, respect and encourage diversity;
· Provide facilities where people can pursue cultural endeavours together
· Provide access to involvement in cultural activities for everyone; and
· Meet the physical and emotional needs of older people

Theme 2: We can move forward by working together more

Social connectedness is well known to enhance the health and well being of the community. Cultural planning has repeatedly recommended that partnerships occur at all levels in the community in relation to culture. The community also recognises the importance of partnerships, of doing things together in further developing the City's culture.

However there has been a general decline in social participation over the past twenty-five years. Social interaction and doing things together creates a more vibrant and healthy community. This is particularly important in Gosford given that many new residents have moved into the area in recent years and therefore are less likely to have the long standing relationships enjoyed in more established communities.

Council can take a lead in:

· Developing partnerships between Council, the community, business and other tiers of government for the support of a connected, dynamic and creative community; and

· Integrated planning to marshal all the resources of Council in support of a connected, dynamic and creative community.

Theme 3: We can further develop our cultural industry

Culture is a driving force in a healthy and vibrant community and all levels of government are committed to fostering cultural services, activities and infrastructure. Council has an important role to play in this and Council's major cultural facilities are highly regarded by those people who have first hand experience of them.

There is a diversity of cultural and community infrastructure, activity and expertise on which to build in Gosford and in recent years there has been significant commitment to providing improved infrastructure. Whilst this newer infrastructure is state-of-the-art, some facilities are in less than ideal condition. There is significant scope for achieving cultural development outcomes through programs and initiatives, which will compliment existing facilities.

Keeping in mind the needs and interests of all age groups in the community, we need to strike a balance between more traditional cultural activities and encouraging new and experimental forms of cultural expression. We can see from our demographic data that people in the twenty to forty year old age group tend to leave the area to seek fun, education and employment. This age group is really important in developing an "edgy" culture. Community consultation has told us that innovation and fringe art is important, and youth is often a catalyst for this. We need to find ways of encouraging more young people to stay in Gosford and actively participate in cultural endeavours.

It is interesting that while Gosford is renowned as home to many of Australia's finest country music stars the development of this industry was not raised as a major issue in community consultation. Council nevertheless has an opportunity to support the development of this field.

Some themes from the community consultation were the opportunity for mature artists to mentor youth, others were for Council to work with professional artists to provide training and employment opportunities.

Council can take a lead in supporting and developing a dynamic and creative community that encourages excellence, innovation and youth involvement by:

· Supporting the library network, theatres and art gallery;
· Supporting new and existing cultural programs such as cultural grants;
· Being responsive to the need for new cultural facilities;
· Being responsive to the needs of emerging cultural industries.
· Encouraging mentoring programs
· Supporting artists' networks; and
· Encouraging youth and innovation

Theme 4: We have an environment to celebrate

The environment of the region is a priceless asset that has contributed to the development of distinctive and close-knit communities in the many villages and rural areas around the city. The Gosford community has a strong sense of attachment to the natural environment and the relaxed, outdoor lifestyle that it confers. The community would like to see a closer integration of this into the cultural life of the city.

Council can take a lead in celebrating the unique environment of the area by:

· Recognising and building on the distinctiveness of the City's natural environment;

· Establishing and encouraging a public art program;

· Being responsive to the need for new infrastructure for outdoor performance and events; and

· Establishing and encouraging outdoor performance and events.

Theme 5: We can celebrate our culture

The desire to both appreciate and participate in cultural activity also came out strongly in the literature and research, with 6 out of 10 Australians in a national survey believing that "the arts should be as much about doing things for yourself as being part of an audience". This was also reflected in the community consultation. People wanted things for young people, things outdoors, things to see and things to do.

The Gosford community believes in the importance of participation in cultural activities and supports a lively program of theatre, music, dance, art making, exhibitions, historical research, writing and education in creative fields. The community recognises the importance of the culture of Indigenous people and of encouraging excellence and innovation in our cultural life.

The City has an interesting history and a degree of diversity that too few people know about. Building on past and current strengths is the way forward. Many other communities have benefited from building on cultural heritage and history.

Participative, interactive engagement in cultural activities provides a rich foundation for community cultural development. Culture is clearly a fundamental part of life and Council is in a unique position to assist in its development. Council can take a lead in raising awareness and appreciation of this diversity and developing audiences by:

· Supporting the promotion of arts and cultural activities;

· Supporting programs that raise awareness of the Indigenous and post 1788 heritage of the city.

This section has outlined the key messages from the research that has been undertaken. The way that Council can respond to these conclusions is set out in the action plan that follows.

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9. Action Plan

The action plan on the following pages outlines the initiatives proposed by Council to enhance cultural life in Gosford.

Actions listed directly relate to the themes that have arisen out of the research and consultation and they have been grouped in these themes. Each of these themes suggests strategies that will direct change to happen in a strategic way. For example, we want Gosford to be a place for all people; this was a major theme of the consultation and research (Theme 1). A strategy to encourage this is to recognise, respect and encourage diversity in the Gosford LGA (Strategy 1.1).

All actions in this plan are important but not all things can to be implemented at once. For each action we have indicated whether it is "highest priority", "very important" or "important". The way priority has been determined has taken account of the following:

· IMPACT This is the extent to which the action will address the themes outlined. Something with a high impact will meet the needs of a lot of people or meet the needs of a smaller number of people but to a large extent.

· IDEALS This is the extent to which the action reflects the values of this Cultural Plan. Council is concerned that the Culture that develops in Gosford reflects our values and is never in conflict with them.

· COST This is how much it will cost to implement the action. The effective use of Council and community resources needs to be considered.

· ACHIEVEABILITY This applies to actions to be undertaken by an existing staff member. In many cases it will not be possible for a task member to do all the tasks allocated to them within one year and they may need to be spread over the entire 5-year implementation period of the plan.

· ORDER This is a consideration when an action can only be done after another action has been completed.

In the action plan you will see who within Council is primarily accountable for leading a project.

Whilst many actions will rely on Council funding, Council will take an active approach to seek funds from corporate sponsors, philanthropists and State and Federal governments. Progress in implementing the plan will depend on the availability of resources.

The following principles have guided the framing and prioritising of the actions:

· Council has a role in promoting a diversity of cultural experiences to meet the needs of our diverse communities

· Council has a role in promoting and providing equity of access to cultural experiences.

· Council has a role in promoting employment and career opportunities in the arts and culture industry, and cultural tourism industry.

· Council will consult and work in partnership with the community in the development of the city's cultural life.

· Council has a role in providing appropriate cultural infrastructure.

· Council values excellence and innovations in the arts.

· Council seeks to provide leadership in developing, implementing and fostering sustainable programs in the arts and culture.

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THEME ONE: Gosford is a place for all people

1.1 STRATEGY - Recognising, respecting and encouraging diversity

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THEME ONE: Gosford is a place for all people

1.2 STRATEGY - Providing access and promoting participation

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THEME TWO: We can move forward by working together

2.1 STRATEGY - Partnerships

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THEME THREE:  Developing Our Cultural Industries

3.1 STRATEGY - Support for the Arts

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THEME THREE:  Developing our Cultural Industries

3.2 STRATEGY - Networking

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THEME THREE:  Developing our Cultural Industries

3.3 STRATEGY - Encourage youth and innovation

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THEME FOUR:  Celebrating our Environment

4.1 STRATEGY - Taking Arts & Cultural Activities Outside