Presentation to the Ordinary Eurobodalla Council meeting of February 12th 2019 by David McLaughlin, President of the Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber Thank you for the opportunity to speak about the Sculpture on Clyde Event. I would like to speak to the PACC recommendations before council relating to the inclusion of a Site Specific sculpture and also a meeting proposal from Council with SOC and River of Art events. First some background facts about the Sculpture event: Last year saw 6153 unique visitors and a legacy of 3 sculptures for Batemans Bay. With regard to income which has been queried — income includes $21000 in entry fees , 16,000 commission on sales, 20,000 DNSW grant and approximately 50,000 of local sponsorship. Contrary to opinion Terry Snow our generous patron was not approached for financial assistance. The event is now under paid management and will likely become an incorporated entity. The event is successful and sustainable. It does not experience volunteer burnout or financial problems.— at inception it was the largest event in the Shire. The event does have a name and brand issue which is dependant on future support in Eurobodalla. In relation to the site specific recommendation put to Council, our success to date has been based totally on an open brief to the sculptors which has yielded high quality, diverse entries over the last two years. We have no objection to Councils intent for a site specific sculptural brief, as part of the sculptural walk. as long as it is another category of prize, otherwise it undermines the open brief to sculptures and would result in the events demise. it should not be confused with the current acquisitive prize as the site of the successful sculpture could be either on private or public land if required. This motion seeks to implement fundamental changes for the 2019 event. As you may be aware the artist applications had already gone out and will close in a few months. Artists have already begun their works. So it would not now be possible to comply to this motion We would like to see Council get behind the event. If financial support from Council for Council's initiated site specific prize was forthcoming, we would be happy to work with a PAAC representative in reviewing and judging the sculptural pieces, and would value the Council's input to expand the diversity of this event. With regard to the integration of the SOC event with the River of Art event. Last Friday the Chamber received an email from Councils Events unit which offered a facilitated meeting between SOC and River of Art for an integrated event. It is understood that River of Art could be rescheduled to a similar time to the Sculpture event . With respect, the Chamber already collaborates with the River of Art. The Sculpture event is a stand alone legacy event with a very different vision and outcome to River of Art. The Sculpture event also does not experience some of the issues beset on other major events in the Shire and so could be rolled out as a stand alone Shire Wide event as per our feedback to Council. We believe a diversity of events in the off-season is better than a diluted single event. The Chamber as no objections to closer collaboration with the Council to build on the success to date and we believe direct involvement with the PACC in future would allow improved decision making. The Chamber has accepted mediation with Council as proposed by the Mayor, neither party needs more impediments. We recommend that Council defer the PACC motion. and engage in discussions about how the event could become a Shire wide event or at least how the event could be more fully incorporated within the Shire with the SOC format. Thank you for listening.
