National Cartoon Gallery successful in getting Coffs Council funding

Council backs in unique gallery as ‘national asset’ offered $350k, provided numbers add up next year.

National Cartoon Gallery president Paul McKeon says the redeveloped gallery has been “hugely popular” with visitor numbers growing by 300 per cent. Photo: Tim Jarrett

The redeveloped Bunker Gallery has been successful in its bid to have council bankroll its operations for another two years. But it comes with a caveat.

Coffs Harbour City Council resolved to give The National Cartoon Gallery $150,000 this financial year, a figure which will double the year following if it shows general manager, Steve McGrath, they are “genuinely moving to a financially sustainable outcome”.

Councillors also approved $50,000 for a grant application for a permanent exhibition at the gallery.

The compromise was reached after Councillors expressed reluctance at giving the gallery the entire $350,000 with no conditions, an amount gallery president Paul McKeon said was critical to their operation.

Addressing councillors at Thursday’s meeting, Mr McKeon said the gallery was a “major cultural and tourist attraction” for the city, operated by volunteers, and it was misleading to think of it as a community group.

The $3 million redevelopment of the gallery was opened to the public in February. Photo: Tim Jarrett

He emphasised that no other community group had delivered a “spectacular” $3 million asset, an asset which cost council about $400,000.

“We give our city an enormous advantage in the highly competitive tourist industry,” he said.

“Many coastal towns have good beaches and attractive surroundings, no other town or city in Australia has a cartoon gallery. It’s unique.”

The gallery’s $3 million redevelopment has been a major success with visitations tripling since it opened in February. However, that hasn’t been enough to cover the costs of an ambitious organisation eager to create a permanent exhibition chronicling Australian history though its cartoons.

Speaking in support, Cr Michael Adendorff said with money in the bank council should be comfortable investing in a “very special” community asset – like one would upgrade an old car.

As part of the $3 million redevelopment the old bunker was exposed and polished and now features at the entrance to the new Gallery. Photo: Tim Jarrett

“We have money in the strategic initiative reserves. We are … investing in an asset. We are not throwing the money away; we are not spending it on ciggies or a big-screen TV,” he said.

However, Cr Paul Amos said despite being “really impressed” by the “magnificent” facility he couldn’t support the motion because he felt they “had their turn”.

Mr Amos added he felt they had been given a clear indication in the past that the Bunker gallery would not face “this sort of funding problem” in the future.

“I really wonder if we are doing the Bunker gallery a great service here, it might be time for the Bunker Gallery to work through it, find their feet to make them … sustainable,” he said. “I think it is time for us potentially to step back.”

The motion to grant the gallery’s request, with conditions, was passed with Crs George Cecato, Keith Rhoades, Michael Adendorff and John Arkan voting for it. Crs Sally Townley and Paul Amos voted against.