North Queensland arts community calls for #Artsban as Council pulls $150 million funding

On Thursday 22 August, ArtsHub received a statement from Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) Executive Director, Ricardo Peach, expressing disappointment at the Townsville City Council and Mayor Troy Thompson’s decision to pull back on funding that had been designated for a purpose-built concert hall and theatre.

However, after the Council convened on 16 August, a decision was made to not proceed with the $50 million commitment based on its Long-Term Financial Plan. A statement was released on the same day from Thompson, which read, “Townsville City Council has today voted to reallocate City Deal funding from the proposed Concert Hall project at a Special Meeting, with nine councillors, including myself, voting to redirect $100 million to Reef HQ and a further $4.9 million to securing arts infrastructure for Townsville’s leading arts organisations”.