Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 - June 2021
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Broken Hill
Cultural Plan
2021-2040
June 2021
Acknowledgement
of Country
Broken Hill City Council acknowledges
the Wilyakali people of the Barkindji
nation as the traditional custodians
of this land and pay respect to elders -
past, present and future.
Artist: Brandi Johnson Biggs
‘My Families Home on the Barka’
2021 MMIAA Winner - BHRAG and
WDA young Artist Award
Contents
Introduction 3
Culture, arts and creativity in Broken Hill 4
The value of culture 5 This project was funded by:
The role of Council, community and partners 6
What we heard 7
Our community 10
This document was prepared in collaboration with Council by:
Our cultural assets 11
Our strengths and challenges 13
Our Cultural Vision and Action Plan 17
Endorsed by Broken Hill City Council for Public Exhibition
– Minute No. 46563, 30 June 2021
Introduction
The Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 provides a shared vision and framework for our City tosustain, enhance and
share our rich arts, culture and heritage.
About culture in Broken Hill Interspersed between the many galleries and cafes you The Plan seeks to build on Broken Hill’s existing cultural
can read the tale of the city’s rise to prosperity in our strengths and assets, recognising that there are already
Broken Hill is a progressive and thriving city in Far West architecture. From Federation and Victorian buildings many existing projects and initiatives underway in our
NSW with a rich local culture that has been shaped to the curving faces of 1930s Art Deco, and classic tin City that will benefit from strategic coordination and a
by its outback isolation, its unique mining and social cottages - our walls tell our story. shared vision that we can all work towards.
history and its independent and creative community.
Our community values the role of the arts, culture Our community’s stories, values and aspirations are
Culture is part of everyday life in Broken Hill and our and heritage in bringing our community together the foundation of the Plan, which has been shaped
City and red sand deserts have long attracted and and shaping our shared identity. We recognise the by engagement with over 300 community members,
inspired creatives. We are known across Australia for social and economic benefits that culture brings to local creatives and stakeholders and based on in-depth
our famous artists, including the Brushmen of the Bush Broken Hill, in particular as an outback cultural tourism research and industry expertise.
and Pro Hart, and the art that continues to be made destination. We are excited for and want to help shape
here, including the iconic film The Adventures of Priscilla, a future in which Broken Hill’s culture is sustained, The Plan reflects Broken Hill City Council’s commitment
Queen of the Desert. enhanced and shared. to working collaboratively to support and enhance
culture, arts and heritage in our City. Importantly, the
Our history is at the heart of Broken Hill’s cultural For a detailed analysis of Broken Hill’s cultural Plan will position Council to pursue partnerships across
identity and offering. This is reflected in our unique landscape and participation, creative industries, levels of government and other key stakeholders,
position as Australia’s only Nationally Heritage Listed strategic policy drivers and cultural asset network, including the private sector, to better meet the cultural
City. Beginning with First Nations cultures, our City is please refer to the Background Report which is available needs and aspirations of our community and to
proud of our strong community, our mining history and as a separate document. leverage opportunities as they arise.
of being the birthplace of Australian trade unionism.
The Broken Hill Cultural Plan has three focus areas:
We have many cultural spaces and assets, including About the Cultural Plan • People and Community
galleries, museums and other cultural attractions and
experiences. Council owned and managed facilities The Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 (the Plan) • Spaces and Places, and
such as the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, the Albert outlines a long term vision for culture in Broken Hill • Sector Capacity Building.
Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre) and provides a roadmap for Broken Hill City Council,
and City Library along with the newly refurbished community and partners to work together in future Importantly these strategic focus areas establish a
multipurpose venue Civic Centre, facilitate diverse planning for cultural infrastructure, events, programs, transparent decision-making framework and priorities
cultural experiences and participation. partnerships and funding. to inform and attract future investment and business
case development for cultural infrastructure projects
and programs across the City.
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 3
Culture, arts and creativity in Broken Hill
MARKETS WORKSHOPS / ABORIGINAL LIVING PROGRAMS ART GALLERIES &MUSEUMS
DIY COMMUNITY CULTURE PUBLIC ART
MAKER SPACES
traditions & customs › the way we live our lives › who we are › how we express ourselves › memories › ancestry
PUBLIC SPACES, CREATIVE PLACES HERITAGE PERFORMANCE & CULTURAL LIBRARIES AND CREATIVE
STREETS AND PARKS TO WORK MUSIC FESTIVALS COMMUNITY CENTRES INDUSTRIES
The value of culture
The majority of Australians recognise the positive impacts the arts have on our daily
lives and in our communities, on making our lives more meaningful and impacting
our understanding of other people and cultures1.
Community identity and connection
Engagement in culture and creativity can increase community identity, cohesion
and belonging, more inclusive communities and a reduction in social isolation. Arts
activities and projects can re-define regional locations in new and positive ways,
providing both residents and visitors with a strong sense of a city’s unique identity.
Liveability and attractiveness
Having a diverse cultural offering can play an important role in attracting and
retaining people to live and work in a regional area. Arts events attract visitors
who may otherwise have limited awareness of the area. Arts events and venues
such as galleries or performing arts centres contribute to a perception of a unique
destination, thus increasing the attractiveness of places to visitors and new residents.
Health and wellbeing
The health benefits of cultural participation are well understood. Through reducing
social isolation and increasing social connections, arts participation can improve
mental health by decreasing stress and anxiety. Studies have also found links
between arts participation, increased longevity, better health and higher life
satisfaction2.
Resilient local economies
Studies show that a vibrant cultural and creative ecosystem can help drive local
economic prosperity and growth, including through attracting visitors, creating jobs,
attracting and retaining businesses, and revitalising places3.
Education and skills
Participation in arts activities has been linked to improved educational outcomes in
English, mathematics and science. The 21st Century knowledge-based economy will
increasingly require workers to have skills that are associated with artistic practices
including creative thinking, self-discipline, collaboration and innovation.
5
1 Connecting Australians: Results of the National Arts Participation Survey, Australia Council for the Arts, 2016.
2 See McQueen-Thomson, D & Ziguras, C 2002, Promoting mental health & wellbeing through community & cultural development: a review of literature focussing on community arts practice, Victorian Health
Promotion Foundation, Melbourne.
The role of Council, community and partners
Broken Hill City Council plays an important role in strengthening the local cultural life
of our City by providing cultural leadership and advocacy, developing cultural policies The role of Broken Hill City Council
and plans and delivering and managing cultural infrastructure and services.
However, with limited resources and capacity and a declining rate base, Council Lead and advocate
needs to work in close partnership with other levels of government, the community, • Research and engage with our community to understand cultural needs and
private sector and other stakeholders to deliver sustainable outcomes. aspirations
• Advocate to other agencies and levels of government on behalf of our
This Strategy outlines a framework for Council, community and partners to work
community
together to achieve our shared vision for the future of culture in Broken Hill. It
• Secure funding and resourcing for our community and cultural assets
outlines opportunities for improved collaboration and coordination, recognising that
we all have a role to play in enhancing the cultural life of our City.
Plan and regulate
• Develop policies and plans that respond to our community’s cultural needs
Local partners: • Align decision-making to the cultural values, needs and aspirations of our
Community members community
Artists and creatives
Business and property owners Build partnerships and skills
Tourism operators • Collaborate with cultural organisations and our community to achieve
Community groups shared goals
Privately owned galleries, • Unlock capacity within our community by connecting people to skills and
museums and collections resources
Regional & Local mining companies
State partners: Philanthropists Provide infrastructure and services
Far West Joint Organisation • Manage and deliver Council-owned places and spaces that support cultural
Create NSW and creative participation
NSW State Library Our Nationalpartners: • Deliver, support and promote cultural programs, events and activities
NSW & SA State Australian Government • Support community groups and organisations through grants and in kind
Governments Screen Australia support
6
Our community’s stories, values and aspirations are
the foundation of this Plan.
In developing this Plan, we spoke to over 300 community members of all ages and
from all walks of life. The themes in this section reflect what our community told us Rich history, heritage and stories
about what makes Broken Hill special, as well as their aspirations to build on these Broken Hill has a unique history and heritage that our community is proud
strengths for the future. of. Key points of pride include Broken Hill’s mining and social history. Many
told us they value the existing museums, buildings, places and people that are
Who we engaged with: already doing a great job of preserving and sharing the City’s history, heritage
We spoke with artists, creatives and local history experts who are inspired by Broken and stories.
Hill’s stories and landscape every day. We spoke with business owners, community
The community thinks there are many more opportunities to preserve and
groups and volunteers that are passionate about building on our existing cultural
share local stories. In particular, people said there are still “untold” stories
strengths. We spoke with children, families and young people that appreciate how
in Broken Hill that they would like to see preserved and told into the future,
arts and culture can bring our community together. We also spoke with visitors and
including First Nations and migration stories. Young people in particular told
passers-through that were discovering our rich cultural offering for the first time.
us they would like more opportunities to learn about Aboriginal cultures.
Our community generously shared with us their stories, their priorities and their ideas
Community members told us they want to:
for the future. Their aspirations for the future of culture in Broken Hill will drive and
shape our decision-making going forward and help us to achieve our shared goals. • Preserve and increase opportunities to celebrate Broken Hill’s history and
heritage, including our stories, buildings and collections
What we did: • Increase recognition of, and opportunities to learn from, Aboriginal culture
Our community shared their ideas at a number of activities in late 2020 and early 2021: and people in Broken Hill
• Increase opportunities to tell our stories through programs, events and in
• Online survey (133 responses) the public domain
• Community workshops • Broken Hill is a “living museum” — further explore how our heritage listing
• Workshops with the Regional Art Gallery Advisory Committee and the Community can benefit our City.
Roundtable and Heritage Committee
• Workshops with Councillors and Council staff
• Creative mixer event
• Kids craft activity and family BBQ event
• Pop-ups and intercept surveys around town including at the Perfect Light Film
Festival and the Youth Colour Run
• Stakeholder interviews (over 20 interviews)
7
Resilient and creative community
Community members told us that one of the things that makes Broken Hill
special are its creative people and its resilient community spirit that has been
shaped by its isolation. People said that even though the community is diverse,
Vibrant arts and cultural landscape
in times of need everyone comes together to support each other. Some of the
words that people used to describe locals include friendly, caring, generous, The community are proud of Broken Hill’s strong local arts and cultural
welcoming and supportive. landscape, including many great museums, galleries, artists and creatives. Some
highlighted that this local arts scene is part of what differentiates Broken Hill
Community members told us they want: from other regional cities, and makes it a great place to live and visit. People
said they are proud of the City’s long history of grass-roots cultural initiatives.
• More opportunities for our community to come together through arts and
cultural events Community members told us they want to:
• To support and connect existing creatives, groups and organisations to boost
their initiatives • Encourage and support cultural participation for all ages and abilities,
including young people and people with disability
• More opportunities for creative learning and skills development to support
employment • See more diverse cultural experiences and activities to suit a variety of
interests, such as live music, including at night and on the weekend
• Improve information about what’s already going on, for locals as well as for
visitors
• Promote our cultural offering broadly to attract visitors to Broken Hill
Unique natural environment • Encourage creative industries to Broken Hill to increase local employment
Community members told us they love Broken Hill’s beautiful natural opportunities
environment. People said they enjoy being surrounded by wide open spaces, • Improve existing cultural venues and spaces and explore opportunities for
big blue skies and desert landscapes - and think that the natural environment is ‘pop-up’ spaces
a big part of Broken Hill’s identity and has inspired many artists and creatives. • Integrate arts and culture into our streets and public domain, including
People also highlighted the importance of regeneration areas.
public art that tells our stories and enlivens our City.
Community members told us they want:
• To encourage more cultural and creative activities and events in outdoor and
natural spaces
• Cultural programs and events that reflect on our Outback environment.
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 8
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lv \.,U 1 c "" T f S f' ,4r ( e:"S)Our community
Broken Hill is home to a strong and independent community that is proud of their city, cultureand heritage. Our City
has also long attracted artists and creatives to live and work. The following community snapshot reflects the 2016
census and other research.
OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA BORN OVERSEAS
170km2 4.5% much lower compared to the average of regional NSW
(11.2%)United Kingdom 1.1%
Philippines 0.7%
LOCATION New Zealand 0.4%
India 0.3%
1,100km west of Sydney and 500km east of Adelaide Germany 0.2%
TOTAL POPULATION 2016 LANGUAGES SPOKEN
2.5 speak a language other than English – Filipino/Tagolog (0.4%),
18,114 %
Italian (0.3%) & Australian Indigenous languages (0.2%)
PROJECTED POPULATION 2026 VOLUNTEERS
17,600 18.4 of Broken Hill residents reported doing some form of
voluntary work in 2016
MEDIAN AGE
%
CULTURE AND LEISURE WORKERS
45 •
•
19.9% are aged under 18 years
29% are aged over 60 years
Based on 2016 census data, 212 residents (3%) worked in ‘creative’
industries including Arts and Recreation (0.9%) and Manufacturing
(2.1%). This does not reflect hobbies, vocational pursuits or volunteer
work (SGS Economic and Planning)
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS
1,503 There are nearly one hundred community and cultural groups operating in Broken Hill.
Their contributions to the cultural landscape of our City is immense.Our cultural assets
Broken Hill has many cultural assets, including Council and privately owned facilities and collections as well as
community groups that sustain our local cultural and creative life. Thefollowing provides a snapshot of Broken
Hill’s cultural assets with more detail provided in the Background Report.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL FACILITIES: GROUPS AND PROGRAMS:
Community groups and
1 Library 60+ organisations
1 Civic / performance centre Council and community
1 Visitor information centre
74+ events and programs
2 Theatres / cinemas
4 Community centres, halls and
meeting spaces PUBLIC SPACES:
11 Museums 1 Town square
27 Art galleries 9+ Hireable parks
3 Live music and performance
venues
2 Streets used as
venues for events
(excl. pubs) and celebrations1,-----11- ;J! 111/I Ill
Our strengths and challenges
These strengths and challenges for culture in Broken Hill express the needs and aspirations of BrokenHill residents and reflect
findings from our research and community feedback.
Leveraging our National Heritage Listing Attracting and retaining residents
Broken Hill’s dramatic desert landscape, its unique character and remarkable Community engagement participants told us they love living in Broken Hill
industrial and geological heritage was acknowledged in 2015 when it became the first because of its friendly and creative community and beautiful natural environment.
(and remains) the only entire Australian city or town on the National Heritage List. Unfortunately, Broken Hill’s population is declining, driven in large part by a reduced
mining workforce and representing a significant challenge to maintaining community
There is a strong need to work in partnership across levels of government to further
infrastructure and services as our rate base declines. There are opportunities to
define, promote and leverage the opportunities that this listing brings to our city,
further promote and enhance our cultural offer and leverage creative industries to
including cultural tourism and ongoing preservation of our unique local cultural
help attract and retain residents to Broken Hill.
assets. In particular, there is a need to advocacy for increased financial support to
support the ongoing maintenance and management of heritage assets.
Diversifying our local economy
Acknowledging and sharing Aboriginal cultures Broken Hill’s local economy has long been shaped by mining, however expansion
and contraction of this industry requires us to think creatively about opportunities
The Broken Hill local government area (LGA) is on the land of the Wilyakali People
for diversification to remain sustainable. Regional cultural tourism is on the rise
and their Darling River neighbours, the Barkindji, who have cared for Country for
and represents a significant growth and economic development opportunity for
thousands of years. The strength, resilience, and contributions of the Wiljakali
Broken Hill, with a need to strategically promote our existing and unique offering,
people continue to be intrinsic to Broken Hill’s identity. Broken Hill today is home to
improve the visitor experience and explore new avenues, such as self-determined
Aboriginal people from across several language groups and Aboriginal nations, with
Aboriginal cultural tourism, participatory creative learning and outback nature-based
8.5% of the population identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Census
experiences.
2016).
The Broken Hill community has expressed strong support for increasing visibility, Sustaining and supporting our volunteer base
celebration, and sharing of Aboriginal cultures in Broken Hill, including through Broken Hill is home to many passionate and driven volunteers that initiate and
events and activities, signage and interpretation, and public artworks incorporated sustain our City’s cultural facilities, programs and events. It is important to support
into the landscape. our volunteers and recognise their invaluable contribution to our cultural landscape.
Unfortunately, as our population continues to age so does our volunteer base, and
Council’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is outlined many cultural organisations and groups do not have clear succession planning in
in the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and this Strategy will seek to align with and place to ensure sustainability into the future. There are opportunities to further
complement the directions of the RAP. connect groups to resources and information and encourage young people to get
involved in volunteering.
13Promoting our cultural offering
Broken Hill already has a lot going on when it comes to culture, including a large
number of galleries and museums and cultural events, programs and festivals that
bring the community together. Community members told us that it can be hard
to find out about what’s on and identified a need to
improve and coordinate promotion to support residents Our pride? Our people.
and visitors to participate. People suggested various Our story. Our history. But
communication channels including websites, social we do not really tell it well
media and newsletters, and also emphasised that word enough. We dabble in it,
of mouth is still important. like a movie preview, but we
never get to show the movie
properly to the outside Collecting and sharing our stories
Increasing collaboration and coordination Broken Hill world or visitors. Time to
is home to many community groups, local businesses change it.” Broken HIll residents are proud of their culture and history and everyone has a
and privately run museums and galleries story to tell about their City. There is a strong desire in the community to increase
Broken Hill community member
that contribute to our local cultural offering. However,
many of these organisations operate independently with limited collaboration and opportunities to collect, exchange and preserve these special and diverse stories,
partnership. This Plan represents a first step towards providing an overarching including those of Aboriginal peoples, waves of immigrants, mine workers, union
framework that can support increased collaboration towards a shared vision for heroes and women and children.
culture in Broken Hill. Increasing opportunities for networking, sharing information
Preserving our collections
and resources and shared initiatives will contribute to the sustainability of our
cultural landscape. Broken Hill is a treasure trove of historical artifacts and collections reflecting our
rich social and mining history. While some of these collections are stored in our
Operating as a regional hub museums and in the Broken Hill Outback Archives, many are privately owned and
stored in less-than-ideal circumstances. In the long-term, there is a need to ensure
As the largest community in a wide geographical area, Broken Hill is a regional centre
a sustainable and strategic approach to managing and preserving our significant
for health, retail and community services for smaller communities across the Far
collections which have both local and national heritage significance. This will require
West; including the Central Darling Shire towns of Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs,
significant resource investment from all levels of government.
Silverton and Ivanhoe. Broken Hill is a popular cultural and outback destination for
visitors and tourists, along with surrounding towns, and its isolation is as much a Encouraging participation for young people
strength as it is a challenge to cultural tourism.
Research shows that cultural participation has developmental and educational
benefits for children and young people. Community members told us that they
want to see more opportunities for young people to engage in arts and culture in
Broken Hill, especially for those who are not interested in sport and for teenagers.
It is important that initiatives are easily accessible and affordable to support young
people to participate.
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 14Advocating for resources and funding
Advocating to State and Federal governments and private industry for cultural
funding and investment will be of the utmost importance to realising our vision for
the future of culture in Broken Hill. With a declining rate base however significant
cultural assets of regional, state and national significance, acquiring funding will be
fundamental to ensuring ongoing sustainable management and preservation. Developing local creative industries and skills
Whilst creative industries currently make up only a very small proportion of the
Upgrading and maintaining cultural assets Broken Hill economy (2% of people employed), there is a need to connect local
Broken Hill has great cultural assets however many, including both private and creatives and businesses to resources, information and networks to support skill
Council-owned facilities, are in need of an upgrade and refresh in order to keep development (e.g. grant writing).
up with contemporary industry standards as well as audience interests and Community members also told us they would like to see more opportunities for
expectations. There are also many unused spaces and shopfronts in Broken Hill that creative industries training and employment in Broken
could have cultural uses if they were to be upgraded. This opportunity would require Hill, for example leveraging film production in the region, Broken Hill as a film
significant investment and resourcing to achieve. and in particular for young people. destination is point of pride
for me. It creates work for
Placemaking and activation Encouraging film production in Broken Hill many locals in front or
behind the camera. The
There is a growing trend in regional towns for Broken Hill welcomes film makers from across the
Perfect Light Film Festival is
public art, heritage interpretation and creative globe. The City is the engine-room for film-makers who
one of the highlights on the
wayfinding that reflects local identity and are often filming on the outskirts and the fringes of the
events calender.”
culture, tells local stories and enlivens City but require a base for accommodation, production
and activates streets and public space, technology linkup and easy access to transport. Broken Hill community member
spaces. Community engagement There have been more than 35 movies filmed in Broken
participants told us they think Hill and surrounds including Mad Max 2, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the
there are opportunities for Desert, Last Cab To Darwin and Mission Impossible II. Baz Luhrmann also filmed a
more public art in Broken section of Australia in Broken Hill. There are opportunities to further encourage film
Hill’s streets and villages, production in Broken Hill and connect local people to film-based skill development
for example reflecting local and employment.
mining and social history.
In recent years Council Diverse cultural experiences day and night
has been undertaking There is already a lot going on in Broken Hill, however there are limited cultural
planning for the Broken experiences available at night time and at certain times on the weekend. Community
Hill Cultural Precinct and members and visitors told us that they would like more opportunities to engage
Library and Archives as a with culture and creativity at night time, including live music and comedy at local
key activation project for businesses and street festivals.
the Broken Hill CBD.15
Image Source: The Broken Heel Festival
Our Cultural Vision and
Action Plan
This Action Plan outlines the three focus areas that we will prioritise over
the next twenty years to support and grow a sustainable and vibrant
cultural life and creative sector in Broken Hill.
Focus Area 1 Focus Area 2 Focus Area 3
People & Spaces Sector Capacity
Community & Places Building
17Focus Area 1
People &
Community
Goals Why is this important?
1. Increase acknowledgment, recognition and visibility of •
Aboriginal culture, arts led by and in collaboration with local • Our community told us that they would like to see greater recognition of
Aboriginal culture, traditions and stories
Aboriginal Elders, knowledge holders and community.
• There is a need to strive for better coordination of existing creative and cultural
2. Encourage and support cultural participation for all ages, groups and initiatives in the city
cultures and abilities, including young people and people • Increased inclusion and diversity through cultural events can help bring different
parts of community to together
with disability. • Our community told us that they would like to see a greater diversity of things
to do Broken Hill (e.g. greater diversity of live music), especially for young people
3. Collaborate between local and regional organisations to and people of all abilities. They also told us they would like to see easier ways of
effectively plan and advocate for culture across the region. finding out what’s on.
18 Broken Hill City CouncilFocus Area 1: People & Community
Timing
Strategy Draft Actions
Short Medium Long Ongoing
1.1 Increased acknowledgement, 1.1.1 In consultation with local Aboriginal people, investigate development
recognition and visibility of Aboriginal of a for an Aboriginal cultural knowledge centre in Broken Hill
culture, arts and practice in the city
1.2 Increased art and cultural participation 1.2.1 Investigate grant funding and collaborative options with creatives
and educational opportunities for young within the city and region to create opportunities for young people to
people participate in arts and culture
1.3 Increased opportunities for cross sector 1.3.1 Encourage relationships within the local arts sector and third parties
engagement through projects by participating in arts/culture interagency meetings
1.4 Increased participation in Broken Hill’s 1.4.1 Continue to engage with all levels of government, arts organisations,
cultural offering by people of all ages and residents, local community and cultural groups and education
abilities institutions about cultural participation preferences for specific age
groups within the City.
1.5 Community involvement through 1.5.1 Investigate the options for undertaking heritage mapping of Broken
engagement and outreach programming Hill and surrounds to collect data showing heritage buildings,
stories, identities, and development from the time before European
settlement. Include the information on the GIS database and
summaries on tourism websites.
1.6 Improved marketing, communication 1.6.1 Investigate a marketing and communications strategy that
and information sharing about Broken Hill’s ensures residents and visitors have access to information about all
cultural offer community events and programs and cultural groups within the city
1.7 Amplification of our diverse social and 1.7.1 Investigate ways for further capture and share the diverse social and
cultural histories cultural histories that are an intrinsic part of Broken Hill’s identity,
including educational experiences
1.7.2 Explore the opportunity to capture the oral histories and memories
of those who have experienced historically significant times and
daily occurrences in the history of the city that continue to shape the
evolving culture.
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 19Focus Area 2
Spaces
& Places
Why this is important:
Goals
• The Broken Hill community are proud of the rich cultural, social and built
1. Ensure that our tangible and intangible cultural and heritage heritage and history and want to see their stories preserved and shared into the
assets are protected ‘in trust’ for future generations future.
• There are a number of state and nationally significant heritage items that are in
2. Adopt a place making approach to activating our places, community and private ownership that risk being lost or damaged.
streets and villages to reflect the layered cultural identities • Diverse place-making, public art, cultural tourism and environmental
opportunities can add value to the local economy and help activate our existing
and stories in our city
places.
3. Enhance the cultural tourism offer
20 Broken Hill City CouncilFocus Area 2: Spaces and Places
Timing
Strategy Draft Actions
Short Medium Long Ongoing
2.1. Increased economic opportunities 2.1.1 Investigate opportunities to create a shopfront revitalisation program,
for cultural tourism that maximise the that may include information and training
cultural assets and natural surrounds
of the community 2.1.2 Explore the opportunity to create a creative and cultural welcome at the
airport
2.1.3 Continue to support and develop major destination events
2.1.4 Explore increasing visitation to the Living Desert by expanding on the
history and spirit of the sculpture symposium
2.2. A strategic approach to the creative 2.2.1 Conduct a review of current public art and public spaces
activation of Broken Hill’s villages,
public places and open spaces
2.2.2 Identify public art projects and place making programs for each of Broken
Hill’s villages
2.2.3 Document all available assets and prepare a city wide resource targeting
the film and major event industry
2.2.4 Review and consolidate an approach to development of green spaces to
enhance liveability and aesthetic value
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 21Timing
Strategy Draft Actions
Short Medium Long Ongoing
2.3. Ongoing conservation, protection, 2.3.1 Investigate a business model to secure additional storage for cultural
maintenance, and engagement with assets
Council and community collections and
cultural facilities 2.3.2 Investigate opportunities to increase funding for heritage and museum
advisory roles
2.3.3 Employ a specialised collections officer to oversee Council’s cultural
collections and to assess requirements to sustain and fully take
advantage of the digitisation of the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery,
Geocentre and cultural collections.
2.3.4 Ensure development of the collections by assessing collections for
conservation and preservation, and plan for undertaking such work as
funding becomes available
2.3.5 Develop and implement a branding and identity strategy for BHRAG and
GeoCentre
2.3.6 Investigate funding and support for digitisation of collections to enhance
community access to cultural collection
2.3.7 Explore the future of cultural institutions in the use of VR and AR
technology, digital excursions and events, digital placemaking as a part of
responding to diversity, inclusion and accessibility in cultural institutions
2.4. Promotion of the City Library 2.4.1 Promote the Library as a safe space for connection, innovative
as a central community hub that is programming, supporting lifelong learning through the provision of
inclusive, accessible to all, encourages resources, programs and access to new technologies
social interactions, enhances cultural
connection and contributes to 2.4.2 Develop digital literacy programs and maintain access to new technology
community wellbeing
22 Broken Hill City CouncilTiming
Strategy Draft Actions
Short Medium Long Ongoing
2.5. Preservation and conservation of 2.5.1 Implement the recommendations from the Heritage Strategy and other
the built and natural environment to relevant strategies
reflect Broken Hill’s status as Australia’s
First National Heritage listed city
2.6. Receipt of tri-partisan 2.6.1 Advocate for shared custodian responsibility with Federal and State
governmental financial support for Governments
Broken Hill’s listing as the first city on
the National Heritage Register 2.6.2 Continuous exploration of all Federal and State Government funding
opportunities
2.7. Exhibition and promotion of 2.7.1 Review, reinterpret and refine Broken Hill’s mining narrative to include
Broken Hill’s rich social and mining educational components and interactive experiences
history
2.7.2 Investigate funding opportunities for the engagement of a museum
consultant for exhibition design and interpretive strategy
2.7.3 Explore the conservation, future promotion, and funding opportunities
regarding the overall strategic direction of the operations of the miners
cottage
2.7.4 Promote and utilise the archives as a source of information to explain the
mining narrative of the community
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 23Focus Area 3
Sector Capacity
Building
Why is this important?
Goals • The community recognise that arts and culture bring economic opportunities
1. Attract and retain artists, creative professionals and cultural and want more opportunities to develop skills that may lead to employment.
businesses. • There is an opportunity to develop and invest in our creative skills and to grow
the next generation of creative professionals and enterprises.
2. Create opportunities for learning and skills development to • Broken Hill has a declining residential population, and a diversity of industries
support employment within the culture sector locally. will attract people to live and work.
• Venues, programs and events across Broken Hill are heavily reliant on
3. Nurture, support and promote local talent, businesses and volunteers and need to find the next generation of volunteers.
cultural sector
24 Broken Hill City CouncilFocus Area 3: Sector Capacity Building
Timing
Strategy Draft Actions
Short Medium Long Ongoing
3.1. Support and promotion of our local 3.1.1 Investigate the implementation of a regional film making hub
film industry to boost the attraction
of Broken Hill to local, national and
3.1.2 Promote creative industries through targeted educational programs
international industry professionals
to inspire employment in the sector
3.2. Maximisation of the contribution 3.2.1 Ensure that the engagement of heritage and museum consultants
of volunteers to the city’s cultural life continues to support volunteer organisations to uphold best
and support of cultural organisations to practice standards
maintain self sufficiency
3.2.2 Implement a unified approach to volunteers and create a new
volunteer strategy that encourages recruitment of a diverse range
of people as volunteers in the cultural sector
Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2021-2040 25You can also read
