Where to next for the Cooroy Butter Factory?

Noosa Council is calling for people interested in exploring possible future uses for the Cooroy Butter Factory, to have their say at Your Say Noosa.

The Butter Factory is currently being operated by Council as a gallery and workshop space for local and visiting artists with a full exhibition program, associated public programs and workshops, however, as Council's Director of Community Services Alan (Fox) Rogers explained:

"The Cooroy Butter Factory has a long and rich history and Council wants to talk with people about a new and sustainable future for the building. The Butter Factory was purchased by the Noosa Council in the early 1990s and since then it has been a creative hub for many types of community and cultural activities. Unfortunately, the operational model currently in place is simply unsustainable. We are looking for a community partnership to identify a more cost-effective way to use and manage the space. The Butter Factory is a well-loved and great community resource. Over the next few months we want to explore a range of options for the Butter Factory's future so we can develop a new direction that respects community priorities."

The workshop on 27th August marks the commencement of a three month-long community engagement process during which Council will be capturing ideas and refining options.

Mr Rogers went on to say "We are excited by the possibilities, and at this stage, nothing is off the table. All ideas will be treated as good ideas. By the end of November, we hope to have some really solid options for the Butter Factory's future to put to a Council meeting. If people are passionate about the future of the Butter Factory but cannot attend the 27th August workshop, Council will also be running an open, online forum where people can contribute their ideas and council can provide feedback to the community as the process evolves. At the end of the community engagement period, the stand-out options will be presented to council who will then be in a much better position to make a fully- informed decision with the best possible outcome for all stakeholders."

Have your say here.

7 August 2014