• Site description
• Site history
• Strategies & policies
  • Land use information
  • Cultural policy
  • Access and equity
  • Sustainability

Cultural policy

The Willoughby City Cultural Policy was initiated at a time when the NSW Government was moving to establish Cultural Planning Guidelines to assist communities in planning for the development and management of arts and cultural resources. The Department of Local Government and the New South Wales Ministry for the Arts were also at the forefront of a move to require local government to have a cultural policy or plan prior to being able to apply for funding.

After extensive community consultation with over 350 members of the community taking part, the Willoughby City Cultural Policy is a document that identifies and discusses the culture of Willoughby. It is a living document that is to be subject to change and review in the future.

The core values and principles of the Willoughby City Cultural Policy are that:

• Communities are dynamic and unique
• Participation and collaboration is to be encouraged
• Diversity is to be celebrated
• Access and equity are essential
• Creativity originality and relevance are to be fostered
• Our history and heritage is to be valued
• Sustainable social and physical environments are to be promoted
• Innovative economic solutions are to be sought

An intended outcome of Council’s Management Plan is the implementation of the Cultural Policy 2004-2008, with a strategy that programming in Council’s Cultural Facilities fosters cultural and community development.

Council’s programming and operations reflects the Cultural Policy observation that people were interested in seeing the perceived strengths of theatre, music, and cultural diversity being the basis of cultural development and programming in the city. The Policy requires Council’s Cultural Services to be guided by cultural development principles and offer a professional, diverse program and service.

Collaborative and participatory arts and cultural activities can generate a sense of community belonging and pride and can make significant contributions to a unique and cultural environment. The community programming reflects this sentiment.

The Civic Place programming attempts to eliminate barriers that affect people’s capacity and opportunities for participation, and to uphold Council’s access and equity principles. The range of community involvement shows the extent of the diversity of the Willoughby community, who will take advantage of the new Civic Place facilities. It also addresses the issue of innovative economic solutions by considering existing and potential cultural resources.

You can read more about the Cultural Policy on the Willoughby City Council website.