TMAP Calls for Inquiry into Council's Handling of Arts Precinct Project
Dear TMAP Community,
We are reaching out to provide an important update on the progress of the Tamborine Mountain Arts Precinct (TMAP) project and recent developments concerning our efforts to establish a dedicated arts and cultural hub for our community.
Our Commitment and Recent Developments
Over the past 18 months, TMAP has been dedicated to realising a vision: creating a vibrant arts and cultural precinct at 122 Long Road, Tamborine Mountain. This initiative aims to offer a dynamic space for artists, provide educational opportunities, and enrich our community both culturally and economically.
Your unwavering support has been the cornerstone of our efforts. With over 1,200 petition signatures and more than 20 letters of endorsement from local businesses, artists, and community leaders—including strong support from local representatives Jon Krause MP and Scott Buchholz MP—we are truly humbled by the community's enthusiasm and belief in this project.
Request for an Inquiry
In our commitment to transparency and serving the best interests of our community, we want to inform you that TMAP has formally requested an inquiry by the Minister for Local Government into the Scenic Rim Regional Council’s (SRRC) governance and asset disposal practices related to the property at 122 Long Road.
This decision was not made lightly. It stems from our dedication to ensuring that all processes surrounding this significant community asset are conducted openly, fairly, and in accordance with regulations that serve the public interest.
Reasons for the Inquiry
Our request for an inquiry is based on several key considerations:
1. Pursuing a Collaborative Solution with State Government
Exploring State Government Support:
We are actively engaging with State Development and Queensland Treasury to explore a collaborative solution that could benefit both the community and the council.
Our proposal involves the state government taking over the property at 122 Long Road in exchange for addressing the council's debt related to the site. This arrangement could relieve SRRC of financial obligations while retaining the property for public use.
Under this proposal, TMAP would gain access to the venue through a perpetual lease, allowing us to establish the arts precinct and deliver substantial cultural and economic benefits to the region.
We believe that fully exploring this arrangement is in the best interest of the community, and we are committed to working diligently towards this potential solution.
Despite the advancements we have made with State Development, SRRC has not been responding to our communications regarding this proposal. Moreover, they have not offered any support in these efforts, where their involvement would have been most valuable. This lack of engagement and absence of support hinder our ability to progress with a solution that could significantly benefit the community and address the council's financial considerations.
With the upcoming state election, there is a very real risk of irreversible damage to this project if the auction proceeds in a rushed manner. We urge SRRC to pause the sale until after the election, allowing for proper consideration, transparency, and the opportunity to formally present this project to a potential new government. The Scenic Rim is an LNP stronghold, and with strong support from local representatives Jon Krause and Scott Buchholtz, the project's success is further bolstered should the LNP secure support in the election.
2. Regulatory Provisions for Community Collaboration
Section 236(1)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012:
This regulation allows councils to transfer assets to community organizations in the public interest without the need for auction or tender.
Despite this provision, SRRC is still pushing forward to auction the property as soon as possible. This urgency to proceed with an auction bypasses the opportunity to collaborate directly with us under the existing regulation designed to facilitate community partnerships.
Our multiple attempts to engage SRRC regarding this opportunity have not received a response. The lack of acknowledgment, coupled with the council's decision to expedite the auction, makes it challenging to explore a partnership that aligns with both the council's obligations and community interests.
3. Challenges in Communication with SRRC
Lack of Response to Correspondence:
According to SRRC's Customer Charter, they endeavor to reply to all correspondence within 10 working days. However, over the past four months, the volume of our attempted correspondence that has gone completely unanswered is significant. This persistent lack of response to communications is concerning.
In recent communications, we have specifically requested that SRRC respond to us and acknowledge our messages, but we have not received any replies. This persistent lack of response, despite our explicit requests for acknowledgment, is concerning and highlights a breakdown in engagement that is essential for successful collaboration on community projects.
The only response we have received from Mayor Tom Sharp during this time came after we made a public press announcement addressing the lack of cooperation. Following his reply, we promptly responded and requested a time to set up a meeting. However, our request was ignored, and no further communication was received, further obstructing any opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Effective communication is essential for successful collaboration, especially on projects with substantial community impact. We are prepared to provide detailed records to demonstrate the extent of this issue to the appropriate authorities.
4. Internal Communication Concerns within SRRC
Councillor Briefings:
Prior to a crucial vote on the future of the property, we requested the opportunity to present an update to ensure all councillors were fully informed. We were advised that this was unnecessary as all councillors were up to date.
However, after the vote, new Councillor for Arts and Culture, Kerri Cryer, confirmed that she had not been briefed on the TMAP project. This suggests that critical decisions may have been made without comprehensive information or discourse.
Ensuring that all decision-makers are fully informed is vital for governance that truly reflects the community's interests.
5. Lack of Support for Community Initiatives
SRRC's Arts and Culture Policy:
The council's own policy emphasizes the importance of supporting local community arts and culture initiatives through collaboration and partnerships. Despite this, SRRC has made no proactive efforts to support the Tamborine Mountain Arts Precinct project in alignment with their own policy.
TMAP has learned from discussions with other community initiatives that they have also, unfortunately, been receiving the same treatment—experiencing a lack of communication and transparency from SRRC. This pattern suggests a broader issue in the council's engagement with community-led projects.
To advance our project, we independently sought meetings with high-level state government officials, including representatives from the offices of the Hon. Grace Grace MP and the Hon. Leeanne Enoch MP. Their support has been encouraging, with affirmations like "we have to make this happen!"
While SRRC representatives did not attend these important discussions—where their attendance would have been most valuable to the community they serve—Mayor Tom Sharp did not even acknowledge our invitation for him to attend the meeting with the State Development Minister, Grace Grace, with a response, despite being informed that the purpose of the meeting was to explore an arrangement to clear SRRC’s $3.2 million debt on the property. Further, the only response received was from CEO David Keenan, informing that SRRC would not provide a letter of support for the TMAP initiative itself, outside of the context of the property, despite TMAP's efforts aimed at benefiting the Scenic Rim Community.
6. Financial Risks and Public Accountability
Council's Significant Financial Investment:
In 2022, SRRC purchased the Tamborine Mountain Winery site for over $6.4 million after it had been on the market for three years without a sale.
This amount exceeds SRRC’s entire annual community works budget of $6.0 million and represents approximately 5% of its total annual budget.
Opportunity for Financial Relief:
By collaborating with TMAP and supporting our discussions with the State Government to explore alternative financial solutions, SRRC could potentially address the council's debt related to the property.
This approach aligns with the council's arts policy and asset disposal obligations, allowing the property to serve as a valuable community asset.
Importance of Transparency:
It is important for ratepayers and taxpayers that there is transparency around any parties the council may currently be negotiating with regarding the sale of the property, as failing to do so goes against the Queensland Government Land Transaction Policy.
Missed Opportunities:
By not collaborating with and supporting TMAP to secure state assistance—which could both alleviate the council’s financial burden and enhance community assets—SRRC may be missing a critical opportunity to benefit the region culturally and economically.
Why This Matters
Our actions are guided by our commitment to transparency, good governance, and maximizing community benefits:
Transparency and Accountability:
As a registered charity committed to accountability, we believe that processes involving significant community assets should be conducted openly and fairly.
An inquiry can help clarify procedures, ensure adherence to regulations, and promote best practices in governance, fostering trust between the council and the community.
Maximising Community Benefits:
Establishing the arts precinct holds immense potential for our region, including cultural enrichment, tourism growth, educational programs, and economic development.
By ensuring that all avenues for collaboration are fully explored—including our proposal with the state government—we aim to create a lasting positive impact for our community.
Our Commitment to You
TMAP remains steadfast in our mission to foster arts and culture within our community. We are taking these steps with professionalism and respect for all parties involved. Our goal is to ensure that the development of the arts precinct proceeds transparently and effectively, ultimately benefiting everyone in the region.
We understand that this update may prompt questions, and we are here to address any concerns you may have. Open communication is vital, and we welcome your thoughts and inquiries.
Moving Forward Together
We are optimistic about the future and believe that, with continued community support and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, we can overcome the current challenges. Our vision for the Tamborine Mountain Arts Precinct is a shared one, rooted in the belief that together we can create a vibrant and enriching environment for our region.
Thank You for Your Unwavering Support
Your dedication and support inspire us every day. We will keep you informed of any further developments and remain committed to transparency throughout this process.
If you have any questions or wish to get more involved, please feel free to reach out to us at hello@tmap.space.
Blue skies,
Team TMAP