I refer to Bronwyn Davies’ Letter to the Editor in Scenic News of 20th October 2022, titled “Importance of Arts”.

My comments of the 6th October were not about the ‘Importance of Arts’, but argued that our infrastructure, especially on Tamborine Mountain, was falling behind and we could not sustain future subdivision and population growth.

My article mentioned amongst other things, the need for Scenic Rim Regional Council to review its priorities and the level of funding on consultants, legal fees, self-promotion, food tourism, economic development, and arts and culture.

I did not criticise any Council staff or team, I did not argue that Arts and Culture are unimportant, I did not argue that budgets in Bronwyn’s former section at Scenic Rim Council were increasing, I did not argue that anyone was not working hard. I’m sure they are.

Council sets the priorities and strategies, not the staff. Councillors have little to do with the administrative side of Council; we don’t direct staff, and were not authorised to speak to staff on operational matters below a certain level. Councillors are there for adopting budgets and operational plans, determining the organisational structure, being responsible to ratepayers for its performance, and advocating for our region and constituents, to name a few responsibilities.

What I did argue for in my article was to reconsider program priorities, to cut wasteful spending and a return to basics.

We all see the world through our different lenses.

When our basic infrastructure ( including Arts Infrastructure) is not being replaced as quickly as it depreciates over the next 10 years, and is likely to be 30-40% worse off than it is now, we have a big problem.

Our Tamborine Mountain rates are right up there with the highest in Queensland for a community of our size. Elderly people are hurting, with pension increases swallowed up by rate increases; our children and grandchildren will likely never enjoy basic sports facilities such as clubhouses and indoor stadiums and aquatic centres; we don’t have infrastructure for water security, we have Council approving commercial uses in residential areas impacting our roads and destroying liveability. I see massive drainage problems where house foundations are being undermined, and living areas flooded almost yearly, with little response from Council, and budget reductions in this area.

No, I’m not anti-“arts and culture”, I’m pro-“realistic” for the times, and have to take a broader, more holistic view.

Bronwyn has an impressive resumé, and can speak authoritatively on this subject, but I too appreciate the Arts as much as anyone. I was responsible for the Beaudesert Community “Centre”, for 16 years, and headed the Community Services Departments in three large Councils over 20 years. In previous career positions, I have been responsible for Queensland’s largest Regional Art Gallery and a very large Regional Entertainment Centre. I was a Director of Arts Northern Rivers for nearly three years. I can agree on the importance of arts and culture just as much as anyone, but that was not the point of my article.

Derek Swanborough
Councillor. Division 1
Ph 0436 351 567
derek.s@scenicrim.qld.gov.au