YOUR COMMUNITY
PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY AWAITS ITS OWN HOME The Lane Cove performing arts community is anxiously awaiting to hear whether redevelopment of the Coles site on Burns Bay Road will include provision for a dedicated performance space. Representatives from a range of groups spoke at Council’s September meeting in support of a space that could be shared by local bands, orchestras, choirs, theatre and dance groups. The Coles site is considered to be an ideal location. In the heart of Lane Cove, people attending concerts and performances could access parking, plus support local restaurants and businesses before and after shows. As the site is going to be completely redeveloped, it would enable a space to be designed and purpose built to accommodate staging, lighting and equipment. The Coles building was purchased by Sun Property Pty Ltd in November 2017. Sun Property proposes entering into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Council, which would enable them to construct and dedicate community space (approximately 1085 sqm) and parking in exchange for Council’s land at the rear of the site. The proposed mixed-use development is to comprise commercial (mini-major retail and specialty retail) and residential apartments in return for community space that would sit below street level, with a foyer on Burns Bay Road providing street access. According to Jackie Brighton, of the Lane Cove Concert Band organisation, the Coles site seems a perfect place for a performance space. “The sloping site would lend itself to a theatre with raked seating, a good-sized stage, and adequate parking. It is close to the heart of Lane Cove and would greatly improve the cultural facilities of our wonderful community for future generations." For the past 25 years, local cultural groups have had to hire
church halls or venues out of area to stage concerts and performances, which can cost $2-3 thousand per night. Lochie Beh, President of the Lane Cove Theatre Company, says that LCTC currently spends the vast majority of its shoestring budget on the rental of space. Staging four productions per year, LCTC shares facilities at St Aidan’s Church Hall in Longueville, which requires them to set up and pack down for every show. Lyndall McNally is the President of the Lane Cove Youth Orchestra. She says they recently performed at the Conservatorium of Music as there is no venue available locally that can accommodate their group. "A venue in the hub of Lane Cove makes so much sense as parents would be able to drop their kids for rehearsals and go out for dinner or a drink before or after a show. It would also be an efficient use of carparks that are normally empty at night.” A further attraction of the Coles site is that it can be designed to accommodate specific requirements to suit performances, including adequate ceiling height for lighting and acoustics. As a multi-purpose venue, it would ideally have a stage area that is at least 15m deep and 20m wide; raked seating; green rooms; disabled access; storage and change rooms. In the past 25 years, a number of potential sites have been mooted for a dedicated performance space including the site at 266 Longueville Road; the new Rosenthal development; and the Centrehouse building at 178 Longueville Road. None of these have been deemed suitable by Council.
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