FAQs

Council is in a very early stage of planning and discussion around the operations of the potential PAC. The first step is to determine whether there is Community support for a PAC in the Council area.

If the PAC proceeds then Council will look at all programming options which would include hire options.  Council envisages there would be a mix of Council use e.g. Community programs, events, and theatre, local performance groups’ hire for showcases and end of year concerts, Community theatre groups hire for theatre productions, Eisteddfods, dance competitions and concerts etc. Council would also explore sourcing external hires such as Fringe Shows, Commercial hires, Professional Theatre, Conferences etc.

The PAC will be fully managed and operated by Council and be completely independent of Morialta Secondary College and its School zoning. The Council PAC could potentially host performances from any primary or secondary schools in the area. 

The PAC will be a great facility that can be enjoyed by all members of the Community.

Council recognised that that there is a lack of arts and culture spaces in the Council area and saw a gap in the area of performing arts. Council considered that a dedicated PAC would be an excellent addition to Community wellbeing and would provide a local option for the Community to experience live theatre and other arts and culture offerings.

Council commissioned a Feasibility Study to determine if there was a need for a Performing Arts Centre. The Study found there would be a high level of demand for a Performing Arts Centre in Campbelltown and it would be well used by a range of hirers such as:

• Professional hirers
• Festivals and events
• Community users and hirers
• Community theatre
• Schools
• Dance concerts and competitions
• Children’s arts training
• Visual arts 

There is a shortage of well-equipped theatres of around 300 to 500 seats. This shortage is acute in the East and North-East of Adelaide. A well-equipped, small to medium sized theatre in the Council area would have a catchment area from Magill to Salisbury as a more accessible alternative to CBD venues. 

Investment in a PAC would be consistent with Local Government practice in Australia and would deliver considerable social and economic benefits. 

Many councils see investment in cultural infrastructure as core business because it can provide social and economic benefits:

• Artistic and cultural activities provide enjoyment and create vibrancy
• There are social and health benefits to being an audience member
• For children, as an alternative to sports, and providing many of the same benefits such as building team work, understanding of others, comradery, etc. 
• Fostering social inclusion
• Driving economic growth

A PAC is expected to attract patrons from across the metropolitan area. A PAC is expected to increase economic activity within the Council area as patrons using the PAC may shop and eat in the area. 

There is much evidence that arts and culture, and performing arts in particular, builds Community pride and identity, inspires Community and civic participation, and creates a culture of inclusion. It contributes to Community connectedness, wellbeing and resilience.  

Fostering and supporting arts and culture provides activities and entertainment for residents and is an important element of meeting the Council’s vision to be a ‘safe, sustainable, vibrant Community.’ A new PAC could also address the long-standing absence of a town hall to serve as a central reference point for the area and as a central Community hub to bring people together.

The DfE (Department for Education) has a system wide objective to create schools as Community hubs. Community hubs are a way to connect families and communities with the school, local services, each other, and the wider Community.

Council approached DfE to look at partnering to create a Community performing arts centre on the new Morialta Secondary College site.  Conversations between Council and DfE have been very positive and DfE are supportive of Council building a PAC on the School site.

 There are several benefits including:

• Lower costs
• No requirement for Council to source or buy a site
• Access to an additional theatre (the School’s own PAC) in addition to Council’s PAC, rehearsal spaces and a kitchen
• Construction would be complete sooner (by mid 2024)
• Ongoing passive surveillance
• Increased exposure

Council would have first right of use to the School PAC, music rooms and kitchen out of school hours which provides a significant benefit as Council would not have to build these additional facilities itself.  

Council has been interested in exploring the option of partnering with a school to ensure that the facility was used and had exposure. This was problematic due to the fact that in most school sites, existing theatres or any opportunities, are in the middle of the School grounds, which gives rise to access issues due to the security of the school children.

As the Morialta Secondary College is a complete new build it provided Council with the opportunity to build the PAC on the edge of the School site which provides easy external access and removes the access issues.

Council will be in full control of the operational arrangements for the PAC. Council will have 24/7 access to the PAC as it will be completely independent from the School during school hours.

DfE have allocated a land space that enables Council to build up to a 500 seat PAC on the School site. The PAC would would be completely separate and distinct from the School PAC. The draft design sees the Council PAC as a fully functional and independent facility, with the School PAC having a smaller theatre (approximately 180 seats) some dance/rehearsal studios and a VET kitchen.

As stated, Council would have 24/7 access to its own PAC, and it is intended that Council would also have first right of access to the School PAC outside of school hours when their facility is not being used by the school. Similarly, it is intended that the School would have first right of access to the Council PAC when it is not in use.

The advantage of having 2 Theatres on the same site is that both Council and the School will have access to a second Theatre when it is not in use by the ‘owner’.  The school theatre is much smaller than the theatre that Council has identified a need for, however it would be a useful space to access for smaller audiences or concurrent shows.

Council would have 24/7 access to its own PAC. This means that Council would be able to use the PAC whenever it likes and how often it likes with no restrictions i.e. Council would manage this facility in its own right.

Council would also have first right of access to the School PAC facility and associated rooms outside of school hours when their facility is not being used by the School.

The School would have first right of access to the Council PAC when it is not in use.

The exact details of this still need to be worked through and would be formalised in a binding document.

Council would not own the PAC but would have full care and control.  This means that Council would operate and manage the PAC on a daily basis. The PAC would also be under a formal lease arrangement, which would guarantee Council care and control, and also formalise any other agreed conditions.

There is minimal risk with Council being a lessee rather than the owner. The intent is that a long term lease agreement would be struck which envisages Council having the right to use the asset for an indefinite period, due to renewal clauses that would be written into the lease.

The Minister for Education, Hon John Gardner MP, says ‘The proposed Community facility at Morialta Secondary College is a significant opportunity to create a large multipurpose theatre in Adelaide’s east that can serve the wider Community and the school.  

The Department for Education has a successful track record of partnering with Community groups and Local Government to provide a wide range of Community facilities and services on school sites.’

Construction would have no direct impact on rates. The cost estimate to build a PAC which seats up to 500 people is estimated at approximately $24 million. There is no commitment by Council to fund it at this stage. If the Community, and ultimately Council, support the construction of the PAC, the construction cost would be funded from Council’s existing cash balances.  

As the PAC is not being built on Council land it would not be considered a capital expense, but would be an operating expense in the year(s) of construction.  

Ongoing maintenance and operating costs are yet to be determined and would need to be included in future budgets. Operating costs may have an impact on rates but at this stage the exact impact is unknown. Council is committed to the PAC being self-funding or break-even, excluding depreciation. This means that there should be minimal impact to rates.

Ongoing maintenance and operating costs are yet to be determined and would need to be included in future budgets. Council is committed to the PAC being self-funding or break-even, excluding depreciation. This means that there should be minimal impact to rates.

If the Community and Council support a PAC on the Morialta Secondary School site, we would expect construction to commence in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Morialta Secondary College is due to be completed in order to open for first term 2023.The existing buildings on the site will be demolished, and the new school will be a complete new build. The School PAC and the Council PAC will be built in stage 2 of the development and are expected to be completed by mid 2024.

If the Community and ultimately Council support this project, a Prudential Report would be required to provide Council and the Community with assurance around the process and the project. 

A prudential report is a requirement under the Local Government Act 1999 and is undertaken before Councils commit to a project:

• Where the expected operating expenses are likely to exceed 20% of the average annual operating expenses over the previous five financial years for the Council. 
• Where the expected capital costs of the project over the ensuring five years is likely to exceed $4 million
• Where the Council considers it is necessary or appropriate. 

A prudential report must include details pertaining to:

• community engagement
• financial costs and viability
• the relationship between the project and Council’s strategic plans
• risks 

A prudential report must be completed by a qualified person not employed by the Council and considered and approved by the elected Council.

It is not envisaged that any other Council infrastructure projects would be put on hold to prioritise the PAC. Council has an annual budget for infrastructure projects and renewal of assets and this budget would remain intact, and planned projects would proceed as expected.  

If Council considered another new facility or a major upgrade to an existing facility in the future, the fact that cash reserves have been used for the purpose of constructing the PAC, may mean that Council may need to consider whether they wish to borrow for these future projects.

For reasons separate to this project, and based on the adopted Campbelltown Transport Plan (Southern Section), Council recently resolved and has implemented a no standing zone outside the shops on St Bernards Road near the Arthur St intersection to reduce traffic build up in this area. Council is aware of the traffic concerns of residents around these intersections and continues to advocate to the State Government (who manage St Bernards Road) for safety improvements including traffic lights. 

Council anticipates the State Government will prioritise traffic improvements on St Bernards Road to facilitate safe access into the new school site.

The preliminary design includes an underground carpark accessed via Morialta Road West. The carpark would exist under both the Council and School PAC and be for sole use of Council and patrons using the Council PAC. The carpark would fit approximately 100 cars. There would be additional overflow car parking in the School carpark outside of school hours.

Yes, Council will design the internal fit out of the PAC, change rooms, carparking, etc. to be fully accessible.

Council has resolved that if a PAC is to be built, it would be built with Environmental Sustainable Design principles and a five star Greenstar rating. Founded by Green Building Council of Australia in 2003, Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places. Minimum Five Star is considered Australian Excellence.

DfE will design the exterior of the PAC so that it is in keeping with the other buildings on the school site. Council will have control over the internal design of the PAC

VET (Vocational Education and Training) enables secondary school students to acquire skills and knowledge for work through a nationally recognised course, whilst completing their South Australian Certificate of Education. A VET kitchen on the school PAC site might mean students are able to prepare catering for performances, whilst contributing to their studies. 

Council would have access to this kitchen out of school hours and might use it for catering purposes for functions or conferences.

Not at this stage. Council ran focus groups earlier in 2021 with local users and other interested parties, and there was a high level of interest at these focus groups. Council envisage there will be a mix of Council use eg community programs, events, and theatre, local dance groups hire for showcases and end of year concerts, and community theatre groups hire for theatre productions.  Council would also source external hires such as Fringe Shows, commercial hires, professional theatre, conferences etc.

Council is in a very early stage of planning and discussion around the operations of the potential PAC. The first step is to determine whether there is community support for a PAC in the Council area.

Detailed discussion about design and operations are still to occur. Priority use for local groups has been raised as an issue for discussion and no decision has been made on this issue at this stage.

Council is in a very early stage of planning and discussion around the operations of the potential PAC. The first step is to determine whether there is community support for a PAC in the Council area.

Detailed discussion about design and operations are still to occur.  Council will manage the needs and demands of different types of performing arts. No decisions have been made on programming or use at this stage.  It is expected that there will be a good mix of different types of performing arts.

Council is in a very early stage of planning and discussion around the operations of the potential PAC. The first step is to determine whether there is community support for a PAC in the Council area.

Detailed discussion about design and operations are still to occur.  There will definitely be some staff involvement in managing the PAC. How this will occur and under what staffing model is yet to be determined.

There will be a requirement to remove some trees, but every effort will be made to retain as many as possible.

DfE have indicated that not many trees will be removed, but it’s not possible to know the exact number until the design is finalised.