Ideas churn at Cooroy Butter Factory workshop

Over 110 passionate people had their say about the future of the Cooroy Butter Factory at a workshop held on Wednesday night. The event was designed to capture as many ideas as possible through a "world café" style workshop with enthusiastic participation by all attendees. Council is now seeking further community input.

Council's Director of Community Services, Alan (Fox) Rogers said what we need now is to hear from those groups who could not attend last night – students, teachers, mums and dads, other arts, craft, heritage, music groups and community groups and other social enterprises– all those who may benefit in the future from having a wonderful venue and facility that the Cooroy Butter Factory could become with the right operational model.

"No ideas are off the table," Mr Rogers said.

At the workshop, Councillor Tony Wellington and Mr Rogers dispelled any myths and clarified council's position - which is not to close the Butter Factory but instead develop a better operating model that will create a more vibrant asset for the community.

Mr Rogers commented after the meeting "We really appreciate the time, energy and ideas that people contributed at the workshop". 

"We were encouraged to think big and heard ideas about creating: a multi-use facility for arts and music; a place where local heritage is preserved; a ceramic centre of excellence and modelling the Butter Factory on other successful regional venues and more," he said.

"This is an important community asset. Once we have gathered as many ideas as possible, we will evaluate and consider the options. Council's new "Your Say Noosa" online portal located at www.noosa.qld.gov.au has an open online forum where anyone can contribute their ideas for the Future of the Butter Factory over the next few weeks, or you can email  cooroybutterfactory@noosa.qld.gov.au or telephone 5329 6508. We would love to hear from you."

29 August 2014