Second rate theatre for Cairns - needs a "rethink"

Interesting article in Saturday's Cairns Post from Ian Roberts, the former Chairman of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association.  One would think he knows what he's talking about. He says that:

•  the Manning Council hasn't even used a theatre designer to get the performing spaces right (unbelievable as that sounds)
• the stage wings are inadequate
• staff costs will be higher because the loading dock is a long way from the two stages
• 941 seats is too small; larger regional towns across Victoria all report they wish they'd built over 1,000 seats (The previous council's plan - after extensive consultation was for 1100 seats)
• the precinct is not connected to other activities that might make it viable. (It's on the fringe of town and too far away from the action)

If Jim Brooks does get elected to replace Bob Manning at the election on 19th March,  he's going to be faced with a theatre that does not even meet current needs, let alone the needs over the next 40 - 50 years of a growing city.

Shame, Bob, Shame.  You ripped up those contracts for $97 million from the state and federal governments and now taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill for an inadequate substitute.