PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has established a new group to advise on cultural and heritage matters.
The council resolved at its February meeting to establish a Heritage, Arts and Culture Priorities Advisory Group (HACPAG). The decision follows extensive consultation with the community during 2013 and will see the disbanding of the Heritage and Museums Sub-Committee and Arts and Cultural Development Sub-Committee.
The council is seeking expressions of interest up until 11am on Monday 24 March from suitably skilled and independent people wanting to become a member of the group.
The council’s community and organisational development director Lesley Atkinson said the new advisory group would consist of two councillors and up to seven members of the community.
Its primary objective will be to represent and enhance the profile of heritage, arts and culture in the Port Macquarie-Hastings community.
The advisory group will provide a forum in which all aspects of heritage, arts and culture matters can be discussed, supported and/or facilitated. It will progress actions to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the heritage, arts and culture sector of the LGA, providing a positive benefit in terms of the region’s liveability.
Ms Atkinson said HACPAG would act as a key link between council and the broader community and members would need to demonstrate a clear connection with their respective community of interest and an ability to advocate on their behalf.
Special interest groups will be encouraged to continue meeting among themselves and to direct any matters requiring council’s attention through the advisory group.
Ms Atkinson said the initial term of the advisory group would be for 24 months with a review to be conducted after the first 12 months to ensure relevance to HACPAG’s on-going aims.
One of its first roles will be to review the group’s charter, which consists of a series of short-term and on-going objectives.
Ongoing objectives will include working with the council to establish the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA as a heritage, arts and cultural destination.
More information about the application process – including full details of the services required and EOI submission requirements – is available online at www.tenderlink.com/pmhc
