Lease for Creative Otways for new Colac Makers Space
Creative Otways Inc will set up the Colac Makers Space in the former Colac library annexe and share the new community space with other groups.
Colac Camera Club, Colac Wednesday Painters and Colac Community Art Mob are among the groups expected to share the space which is now accessible from an entrance near COPACC's Gellibrand Street entrance.
Shire Mayor Cr Jason Schram said the annexe closed in 2015 and after a Council decision last year that the space should be used by the community, Council resolved in February to ask for expressions of interest from community groups, particularly arts-related groups, who were interested in sharing the space.
"Council received 21 submissions from people representing nine groups which Council officers reviewed to consider how Council could best meet the community expectations and Council's strategic goals," Cr Schram said.
"Six of the nine groups will have an opportunity to share the space, with a licence granted to Creative Otways as the head tenant, which will be responsible for community access and cost recovery from other groups.
"Council wanted the former library space to be available for the community and having arts groups share the room near COPACC is a great outcome.
"As part of the lease conditions any profits from commercial workshops will be reinvested into Maker Space activities and there will be an annual report on activities and patronage.
"We have really talented and passionate artists in our shire and Council is looking forward to seeing what is created and displayed in this community space."
Creative Otways will enter into a one-year lease with two one-year options, at a rate of $150 a year and the group will be responsible for insurance and utilities.
Council has also requested the Chief Executive notify it if the community group vacates the premises so Council can consider options for its future use, noting its intention for the space to be retained for community use.
