What’s your Cultural Picture?

05 August 2016

More time to help create a cultural plan for the Tweed

A community survey to identify Tweed residents’ cultural interests, activities and priorities has been extended to 14 August 2016, to give more people a chance for input.

Hundreds of residents have completed the survey so far, identifying the cultural activities they participate in and why, and how often they get involved in these events or pursuits.

Responses to the survey will help Council create a new cultural plan for Tweed Shire, to guide the role played by Council in supporting, initiating or holding cultural activity in the Shire across the next five years.

The project’s coordinator, Community Development Officer – Cultural Planning, Kate Gahan, said the survey also provided an easy way for residents to say what they would like to see more of in the Tweed, to help ensure cultural activity matched people’s interests.

“The survey is just one way are engaging with the community to develop this cultural plan and feedback received so far has shown culture is an important part of many people’s lives,” Ms Gahan said.

“Our consultation has confirmed that a significant number of Tweed residents regularly participate in cultural activities but it has also revealed some obstacles that prevent people from getting involved.

“The plan is intended to show what can be done to foster these activities and how to link interested people with events,” she said.

“People are telling us that culture enriches their lives and plays in important role in their general wellbeing.”

Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne, said: “We really need to hear back from as many people as possible, and especially young people, to find out how we can create a vibrant, cultural environment. School submissions are more than welcome."

Expressions of interest are still open for community delegates on a focus group to help develop the plan. Individuals and groups who work, or have a stake, in the arts and cultural sector across Tweed Shire are invited to participate in a focus group, which will meet on Thursday 11 August at Murwillumbah’s Jessie McMillan Hall.

You can complete the What’s the Cultural Picture online survey by visiting yoursaytweed.com.au/culturalpicture and going to Complete The Survey. Printed copies of the survey are also available at Council’s offices at Murwillumbah and Tweed and at the Kingscliff, Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah libraries.