Written by Ricardo Peach

Townsville needs both cultural infrastructure in the shape of a state-of-the-art concert hall – as well as a modern-day Reef HQ Aquarium.

There is no purpose-built concert hall with black box theatre facilities anywhere north of Brisbane. That means the entire north of Australia is without one.

Townsville/Gurambilbarra, as the centre of a major creative and cultural region and a gateway to northern Australia more broadly, is the ideal location for the creation of such an important arts facility. A concert hall was almost happening – until now.

Funding of $150 million was conditionally on the table towards realising the project in Townsville.  This consisted of $100 million designated towards the project by the Federal Government in September 2021, as a result of concerted lobbying for a “state-of-the-art” concert hall and theatre; and an additional $50 million announced by the Queensland Government in its 2023-2024 budget, contingent on Townsville City Council matching the Queensland Government’s contribution (so investment by council of $50 million).

Of the $100 million committed by the Federal Government, $2 million was designated to fund an in-depth case and scoping study. A tender for this study was awarded by the relevant Federal Government department in April 2022.  It is understood that the study has been completed and includes concept designs for a 1000-seat concert hall and an adjacent 300-400 seat theatre. Where is that business case study?

At a specially convened meeting of Townsville City Council held behind closed doors on August 16, council resolved not to proceed with the concert hall and stated that based on the council’s long-term financial plan their required contribution of $50 million would not be available in the foreseeable future.

The motion was moved by Mayor Troy Thompson, despite the fact that he had publicly stated and continues to state that he supports the initiative for a purpose-built concert hall. Cr Thompson instead advised that the $100 million committed by the Federal Government would be reallocated towards refurbishment of the Reef HQ Aquarium, a popular but run-down tourist attraction.

We don’t want arts and culture used as a decoy by council, which clearly had no intention of actually addressing the lack of support for the arts community of Townsville. The cultural scene in Townsville is vibrant, despite council rather than because of it. But the need for improved arts infrastructure cannot be addressed without genuine and significant council support.

The north Queensland arts community is up in arms about council’s decision. The concert hall and theatre project has been a long-standing initiative for more than 40 years and there was optimism that it would finally proceed.

There are so many displaced cultural organisations right now. The past 15 years have seen the loss of various theatre companies, including James Cook University performing and visual arts.

A leading stakeholder in the arts is the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM), which has called Townsville its home for 34 years. Each year the AFCM attracts musicians from around the world to perform in Townsville. Across 10 days annually in July the AFCM presents more than 30 concerts and special events, attracting visitors from around Australia and internationally, injecting more than $9 million into the region.

However, the missing link for many arts organisations in Townsville has been a quality acoustic venue for the internationally renowned musicians to perform in. The existing Civic Theatre is heavily booked year-round. The city needs more performing arts venues to service existing and future requirements.

AFCM is extremely disappointed by council’s decision and the manner in which it has been decided. We haven’t been provided with a copy of the business case study commissioned and paid for from federal funds. Nor were we afforded the opportunity to present our case to council or to discuss with them any modifications that might enhance the affordability of the proposed development without jeopardising quality and suitability for purpose.

Don’t get me wrong – we want to see Reef HQ Aquarium supported, just not at the expense of a very desperate arts community, given the critical need for cultural infrastructure such as a concert hall and theatre. We do not want one deserving community pitted against another.

We also have several unanswered questions we need addressed: Why are we not able to see a copy of the concert hall business case and scoping study? Why has the arts sector not been consulted to explore how this new infrastructure could be made financially feasible?

Other quality arts venues, such as the 1400-seat Snow Concert Hall in the grounds of Canberra Grammar school, only cost $20 million in 2022. Townsville had been allocated $100 million from the Federal Government.

We call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Senator Nita Green and federal ministers Kristy McBain and Catherine King to lobby Townsville City Council to reverse this broken promise and #Givebackthemoney

Ricardo Peach is executive director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville. AFCM principal partners include Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, and Townsville City Council.

afcm.com.au

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