Poll result won’t halt arts centre

BY BRAD WORRALL

WANGARATTA council will proceed with its $7.5 million performing arts centre despite a survey finding it is wanted by only 47 per cent of the community.

It also believes a $5 million contribution from the State Government will be announced before the November 25 election.

The council said that digging into the findings of the random sample of 450 ratepayers showed overwhelming support for the project.

On Tuesday night, council voted to proceed with plans that would have the centre completed in time for the 20th anniversary of the city’s jazz festival in October, 2008.

It has already committed $2.5 million of its own cash to the project in next year’s budget that will be topped up by state funding.

Mayor Don Joyce said the survey vindicated council’s decision.

“When you get into the body of the report those who are against it don’t plan to use it,” he said.

“We undertook this study in response to a petition signed by 5500 people who opposed the plan.

“What we found was that most weren’t against the performing arts centre but against pulling down the town hall.”

Cr Joyce said the Wangaratta town hall no longer met community needs or aspirations

He said the council had made alternative arrangements for interest groups that used to meet at the town hall.

The poll by Strahan research showed 47 per cent of respondents approved of the proposed performing arts centre, 42 per cent disapproved and 11 per cent were unsure.

It also showed the centre had overwhelming support from younger residents, with almost 60 per cent of those aged 18 to 54 supported the centre.

Sixty per cent of people over 55 opposed the project.

Cr Joyce said the council would like work to begin as early as March next year.

“It will take about 16 months to build and be ready for the jazz festival in 2008,” he said.