Shire unveils its heritage policy

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has put art and culture on the map with the launch of a new action plan last week.
The council released the report last Wednesday, which outlines a five-year strategy for art and cultural programs.
Flanked by musicians and a hilarious theatrical improvisation troupe, Mayor Tim Heenan unveiled the policy, which will guide the future delivery of arts and heritage activities until 2013.
Guest speaker Michael Veitch said the council had done a fantastic job on the plan.
He said in many cases art was becoming an intrinsic part of people’s lives.
“We hear so many stories of people in the middle or end of their lives who decide to start painting or put on a show,” he said. “This sort of thing is what makes communities richer.”
Initiatives outlined in the plan include developing a strategy to deliver art and performances in public places, developing a regional museum as a leader in local culture and heritage and maintaining an annual grant development program.
Cr Heenan said the policy had garnished the largest and most lively consultation process that the shire had ever undertaken.
A cultural road-show, which included street theatre and live music, was used to travel around to different towns calling for community input.
At one consultation meeting in Mt Evelyn, Cr Heenan wore a T-shirt with the message ‘art is a waste of money’ printed across the front.
“I thought I would get my head kicked,” he said.
“But we explained we were trying to turn that perception around with this policy and it generated a lot of talk and debate, which is what we wanted.”
Cr Heenan said the council was now committed to delivering a range of programs that would allow people to experience art, culture and heritage as part of every day life.