The State Heritage-listed Majestic Theatre looks set to be thrown a financial life-line from Noosa Council with a one-off payment of just over $16,500 from the Heritage Levy and a joint building maintenance program.
Council officers recommend council undertake a condition assessment of the 1921 building with a view to developing a Conservation Management Plan and maintenance in conjunction with its owners and managers Pomona Arts Inc (PAI).
The not-for-profit community group has keep the building alive for the past 12 years with screenings and events but is struggling with maintenance, mortgage and overdraft payments.
In 2006, Council contributed $198,000 to a major refurbishment of the building with further contributions from state and federal governments.
PAI manages the Majestic Theatre, The Railway Station Gallery and the Pomona Country Markets.
While the Gallery and the Country Markets operate at a small profit, the Majestic Theatre has operated at a loss for a number of years leaving PAI reliance on an overdraft to meet operating and financial expenses. In 2016-17 it had a combined deficit of almost $29,000.
Council officers recommend assisting the PAI on condition the one-off payment is used for heritage activities, PAI develop a business plan to improve its financial position to achieve sustainability over three years and increases its partnership with Tourism Noosa.
Council will decide on the recommendation at its Ordinary Meeting on 19 April.
