Community & Business
17 January, 2021
MSC approves new gallery for Kuranda.
The Mareeba Shire Council has given the green light to a new gallery and cafe development in Kuranda Approval was given even though the council received a number of objections to the development including a petition with 40 signatures.
At Mareeba Shire Council's (MSC) last meeting for 2020 a new gallery and cafe development in Kuranda was given the green light to go-ahead.
Approval was given even though the council received a number of objections to the development including a petition with 40 signatures.
Some of the objections included loud music coming from the potential new gallery and that amplified music restrictions have been flouted in the past. One of the objections claims that the police have been called 50 + times in the past over noise complaints.
Other objections submitted to council wrote “If approved, the premises should be strictly used for an art gallery and training facility and not used for social functions,”
“No amplified talk or music should be allowed at any time.”
The MSC approved the new gallery under certain conditions. With the operating hours for the Community Use (Art Centre & Ancillary Café) only between 8am and 5:30pm, Monday to Sunday. Amplified music or loudspeakers of any kind must not be used in association with the approved use, unless in an emergency situation. Ambient music within the Community Use (Art Centre & Ancillary Café) is acceptable provided it is not audible outside the site boundaries.
The Art Centre will have a total area of approximately 160m2 and include an outdoor public deck area covered by shade sails to accommodate guests and provide protection from the weather.
CEO of Djabugay Nicholas Mills said the new art centre had been in the works for the past 12 months.
“We have been planning this for 12 months; it will be a repurposed residential building that currently sits on the Kennedy highway,” he said.
‘It will be refurbished to become an art gallery and art centre for Djabugay artists.
“It will be used as a studio for Djabugay artists to work, paint and sell.
‘It’s about providing a platform to allow Djabugay artists to grow their individual careers and also build opportunities internationally, it also will link in councils art trail."
Mr Mills said he didn’t want to comment on the noise complaints that were submitted to council.
“We are not going to comment on those complaints; we didn’t need to respond to those complaints as part of the development process.”
MSC Mayor Angela Toppin said that the Gallery will be an important drawcard for tourists and visitors. “Indigenous art is so important for Kuranda and tourists, true authentic Aboriginal art, there’s been a strong push in the community for this for some time,” Mayor Toppin said.
Mayor Angela Toppin said all submissions were carefully considered but ultimately there was no conflict with planning instruments and council-imposed noise abatement conditions.
