Holly McGuinness
Hume will soon be transformed into a cultural hub of creativity as a ten year creative places and spaces arts infrastructure plan has been adopted by council following community consultation.
Described by Councillor Jim Overend as a blueprint to build a network and creative infrastructure in response to community demand, it outlines new programs and facilities to be developed, including a new culture and arts hub.
A number of sites are under consultation for a main hub across Hume with Craigieburn Hume Global Learning Centre (HGLC) prioritised due to its central location and no current planning projects underway.
A focus on cultural inclusion is also included in the plan.
“We need to do everything we can to ensure the community feels ownership over projects like this, and the spaces are accessible to everybody,” Cr Overend said.
Councillor Jarrod Bell agreeing with 78 per cent of community consultation respondents described the current arts and culture facilities across Hume are a “desolate wasteland.”
He firmly believes this new plan will turn Hume’s arts and culture precinct into a “thriving, tropical rainforest.”
“Arts and culture bring life and vibrancy to our community, they tell our stories, tell us who we are, where we come from and where we are going,” Cr Bell said.
A number of facilities are being considered for upgrades to support the arts hub, including the The Jacksons Hill Sunbury Community Cultural precinct.
Included in considerations are upgrades to existing facilities with a focus on performing arts, co-working spaces, workshops, heritage collection storage, recording studios and meeting places.
Councillor Karen Sherry noted a recent roadmap by the federal government which outlines a national plan to build on the arts and entertainment sector into the future, with hopes this will encourage government funding in Hume.
“Part of this policy was to have cooperation, partnership and support from all levels of government, so I’m hoping there’ll be some real investment and support,” Cr Sherry said.
