You Said, We Did Gosford Regional Gallery
In March 2015, Council’s Culture Service Unit conducted a number of extensive surveys across its cultural facilities inviting community feedback on how best to improve its business practices and operations. Having reviewed the suggested improvements, we now seek to action those that you’ve told us are most commonly important with a “You said, we did” approach.
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YOU SAID...
“Improvements are needed to the Gallery facilities, particularly the cafe/restaurant” We recognise the Gallery facilities didn’t meet the expectations of the community. The Point Cafe was recently awarded the cafe lease at the Gallery and renovations to the
restaurant started on 1 May with a brief period of closure to accommodate refurbishment. The restaurant reopened for trading on Thursday 14 May. We would like to welcome the Point Cafe, Japanese Gardens and wish them all the very best for the future.
The restaurant refurbishment is part of a coordinated approach towards a scope of works to modernise and improve the Gallery precinct which includes: •
A full clean and repaint of the external gallery building
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Renovations and maintenance of all wooden outdoor structures including the Koi Pavilion and Tea House in the Japanese Garden
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New external signage
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New promotion of the Sister City arts and crafts displays in the gallery
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Replacement of carpet and tiles to the gallery foyer and entrance
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New fit out to the gallery toilets including cabinetry, vanity units and fixtures and fittings
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Replacement of reception furniture in the foyer and gallery areas.
Culture
“The best features of the Gallery includes the Japanese Gardens, local quality exhibitions and the unique location and setting”
About Council Gosford Regional Gallery
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www.gosfordregionalgallery.com
YOU SAID...
“Greater variety of programming and events” Gosford Regional Gallery is committed to an annual program of exhibitions which offers a balanced opportunity for visitors to engage with a variety of artists, styles, genres and mediums. This includes approximately 26 changing exhibitions which range from traditional to contemporary and consist of touring exhibitions from some of Australia’s leading regional and national galleries, including the popular Archibald Exhibition. The Gallery also runs a successful program of term-time adult and children’s art classes, an annual community program of 30 exhibitions featuring local artists and organisations and special family events during school holiday periods.
In 2015/16 the Gallery is seeking to increase opportunities for broader community engagement through family focussed events held in the gallery and gardens. These will include special seasonal events such as carols in the garden, more school holiday activities and opportunities to deepen program engagement such as the reintroduction of the artist talks program to make it appealing to all ages.
The Gallery is working towards a review and improvement of its onsite support facilities and services such as the Gallery shop and visitor utilisation of the Art Centre. It is also working to maximise opportunities with other recreation facilities such as the recently redeveloped Elizabeth Ross playground.
We are committed to an annual program of exhibitions which offers a balanced opportunity for visitors to engage with a variety of artists, styles, genres and mediums.
We will continue to provide and enhance the areas that the community value and make the Gallery even more popular to all residents and visitors to the Central Coast.
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YOU SAID...
“Increase promotion of the Gallery and programs� We are currently working to launch a new gallery website which will go live July 2015. This will offer more comprehensive web presence, integrated with Gosford City Council recent website redevelopment. The website will ensure full mobile optimisation and increased functionality. The Gallery is investing in improved customer service database software to ensure greater flexibility and more accuracy in the delivery of its information. The Gallery is also working towards greater synergies and engagement with local businesses to provide added value to its programs and visitor offer and ensure maximised cross promotion of events and facilities.
Find out more about visit our website
gosfordregionalgallery.com facebook.com/pages/GosfordRegional-Gallery-Arts-Centre @gosford_council
Expressions of Interest for corporate sponsorship have recently been invited, including media sponsorship of the Gallery and garden to increase partnership and develop strong long-term promotional opportunities.
You Said, We Did Laycock Street Community Theatre
In March 2015, Council’s Culture Service Unit conducted a number of extensive surveys across its cultural facilities inviting community feedback on how best to improve its business practices and operations. Having reviewed the suggested improvements, we now seek to action those that you’ve told us are most commonly important with a “You said, we did” approach.
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YOU SAID...
“The provision of car parking at the theatre is poor” We recognise that car parking is important to visitors. There are currently 95 free parking spaces available at the leased car park across from the theatre which includes 4 disabled spaces.
The Theatre is currently conducting an audit of all available public parking within a reasonable walking distance of the theatre. This includes car parking at alternative local venues within the theatre’s vicinity including churches and shopping precincts. Working in conjunction with our business neighbours, who often cease operating after 5pm and therefore have available car spaces, we hope to provide a comprehensive parking strategy for Laycock Street Theatre which will be promoted on the website and literature with maps to point patrons in the direction of alternative parking options. This will be completed by August 2015.
The theatre will also promote and encourage car sharing for all production cast to leave the 95 car park spaces available to visiting patrons. In working towards this new strategy, we do wish to remind all patrons that the safety of other road and footpath users is paramount and rangers regularly patrol the area surrounding the theatre to ensure cars are not parked in an inappropriate place.
Culture
The best features of the theatre includes the wide range of productions and quality of shows available.
About Council Laycock Street Community Theatre
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www.laycockstreettheatre.com
YOU SAID...
“The condition and presentation of the building requires investment, updating and improvement”
We have undertaken a considerable scope of works in the last six months to ensure the quality of the theatre venue and facilities matches the quality of our productions on offer.
Recent improvements to the theatre building include: •
A full professional, outdoor clean of the external building including the painting of external doors and outdoor fittings
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Installation of new, contemporary outdoor signage at the front and rear entrances
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The refurbishment of the box office area, including new cabinetry, the removal of the box office grill and full decoration of the lobby area
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Decoration of the theatre foyer including new artworks sourced from Council’s Art Collection
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The installation of new promotional plasma screens throughout the theatre lobby and box office area
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The refurbishment of the theatre toilets, including painting, cleaning and new fixtures and fittings.
The second phase of our scope of works will focus upon the refurbishment of the bar and kiosk area, and new foyer soft furnishings to ensure a contemporary and welcoming experience throughout all our public areas. This will be completed August 2015.
The presentation of the Theatre building has been identified as needing immediate investment.
We will continue to provide quality productions and attract a varied audience of old and new patrons to Laycock Street Community Theatre making it the most popular on the Central Coast.
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YOU SAID...
“Improvements to ensure greater ease of ticket purchases” We are currently working to launch a new theatre website which goes live July 2015. This will offer more comprehensive web presence, integrated with Gosford City Council recent website redevelopment. The website will ensure full mobile optimisation and increased functionality.
We are also removing the need for all patrons to provide a password when purchasing tickets online.
Find out more about visit our website
laycockstreetheatre.com facebook.com/pages/ Laycock-Street-
As our patrons’ purchasing habits respond to the increased use of online technologies, we are also conducting a review of our Box Office counter service to ensure opening times and over-thecounter customer service meets the needs and visitation habits of our patrons, which often fall outside traditional business hours.
Theatre @gosford_council
You Said, We Did Culture
Open Spaces
In March 2015, Council’s Culture Service Unit conducted a number of extensive surveys across its cultural facilities inviting community feedback on how best to improve its business practices and operations.
We are committed to prioritising works and completing replacements •
Replace the equipment at Cheryl Avenue Playground, Terrigal
Having reviewed the suggested improvements, we now seek to action those that you’ve told us are most commonly important with a “You said, we did” approach.
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Replace the equipment at Susan Fahey Playground, Copacabana
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Replace the equipment at Palm Gully Playground, North Avoca
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Replace the outdoor fitness equipment at Peninsula Recreation Precinct, Umina
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Replace the equipment at Canning Park Playground, Narara
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YOU SAID...
“Respond and replace broken playground equipment quicker” Gosford Local Government area has a total of 97 playgrounds, with many now requiring urgent repair or replacement due to the aging infrastructure.
In the next 3 months we will
In the next 6 months we will •
Replace the equipment at Attunga Close Playground, St Hubert’s Island ground,
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Replace the equipment at Greenvale Playground, Green Point
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Start construction of a new precinct playground at Willari Avenue, Narara
We have also upgraded a number of playgrounds including Woy Woy Lions Park , Stoney Park (Woy Woy) and Wyunda Court Playground (Narara).
A new process will be implemented by staff in June 2015, to ensure that all broken equipment is recorded and responded to with a priority rating.
About Council Open Spaces
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www.gosford.nsw.gov.au
YOU SAID...
“Upgrade public buildings regularly which are in poor condition” We are committed to upgrading the wide number of aging public buildings including sport and recreation amenities buildings and public toilets, although many need significant upgrading at the same time and prioritises are identified through Council’s four year delivery plan.
In the next 3 months we will •
Construct new public toilet blocks at Deerubbin Reserve (Mooney, Mooney), Tascott foreshore and Pine Avenue (Davistown).
In the next 6 months we will •
Commence construction on a new regional multipurpose sporting amenity building at Adcock Park
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Near completion of the regional significance Woy Woy Grandstand
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Continue to seek and secure external funding to help expedite the upgrades of public building
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Look to progress the redevelopment of McEvoy Oval sporting amenity following the recent state election promise
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Complete the upgrade to the sporting amenity building at Hylton Moore Oval
In the last 12 months we have upgraded public toilets at Avoca Beach, Pioneer Park, Kincumber Reserve and Terrigal Lagoon in addition to several improvements to sporting fields, car parks and amenity buildings at Ålan Davidson Oval, Terry Oval and Hylton Moore Sporting facility.
“The best feature of our Open Spaces are the views, natural beauty and well equipped safe areas”
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YOU SAID...
We understand the importance of Gosford’s natural assets that are enjoyed by the community old and young and endeavour to provide quality services and highly maintained locations. We appreciate your feedback and will work hard to meet community expectations.
”Maintain and clean open spaces particularly beaches and parks” We are committed to providing quality, maintained and clean open spaces for the community to socialise, play and enjoy. We will continue to provide resources where needed and in particular during the busy periods at beaches and parks to ensure cleanliness and maintenance are at a high standard. We will continue to replace amenities such as picnic tables and shelters.
In the next 3 months we will •
Install new picnic tables at Gosford Waterfront
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Install a new picnic shelter at Davistown Waterfront
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Finalise Terrigal Haven loop road improvements
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Finalise the sea wall upgrade and landscaping of Lance Webb Reserve, Ettalong
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Improve signage to the whale watching platform at Copacabana
In the next 12 months we will •
Complete the foreshore stabilisation of Correa Bay
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Be committed to providing parks, reserves and beaches to the highest standard possible for the community within the resources available
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Seek and identify external funding opportunities to expedite improvements to open space areas
Find out more and visit our website
gosford.nsw.gov.au facebook.com/GosfordCityCouncil @gosford_council
You Said, We Did Peninsula Leisure Centre and Gosford Olympic Pool
In March 2015, Council’s Culture Service Unit conducted a number of extensive surveys across its cultural facilities inviting community feedback on how best to improve its business practices and operations. Having reviewed the suggested improvements, we now seek to action those that you’ve told us are most commonly important with a “You said, we did” approach.
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YOU SAID...
“The gym at the Peninsula Leisure Centre is too small and equipment is old ” We are investing over $200,000 into new equipment at the leisure centre to improve the customer experience.
This will include an upgrade of almost 20 pieces of fitness equipment in June 2015. Whilst there is no plans to expand the gym. The new equipment will be configured and will create additional space in the gym. We plan to review the strength equipment and look to replace old equipment during 2015/16.
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YOU SAID...
“The standard of cleanliness of PLC’s changing rooms is poor” We acknowledge this is an important aspect for members and guests in regards to customer satisfaction and retention. We will undertake more daily inspections of the changing rooms to ensure they are kept to the highest standard possible and exceed customer expectations.
Culture
“The best features of the Peninsula Leisure Centre are the wide range of facilities and all year round access”
About Council Peninsula Leisure Centre and Gosford Olympic Pool
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www.gosford.nsw.gov.au
YOU SAID...
“The best way to communicate is through the facebook pages” We acknowledge that social media is a preferred method of communication and will continue to provide regular updates for members and guests, so please like our pages.
https://www.facebook.com/Plcpool https://www.facebook.com/gosfordpool
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YOU SAID...
“The Gosford Olympic Pool building is old and in very poor condition” Gosford Olympic Pool is an old facility (60 years) which requires ongoing maintenance. In the last 6 months we have invested in the building to keep it up to the expectations of the customer including •
Upgraded the indoor changing rooms
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New filters installed in the 25 metre pool
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Roof repairs
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Painting of the 25 metre pool
Over the next 3 months we will •
Paint the external exterior walls
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Improve external signage
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Paint the 50 metre pool
We will continue to provide quality services and all year round access providing value for money for all members and guests and your feedback is valuable in helping us to improve.
We will continue to provide quality services and appreciate the feedback about the quality of the swimming lessons. Staff strive to help people of all ages learn to swim and in particular children.
Whilst the building is old we are committed to keep the necessary improvements ongoing long term and thank you for your comments.
“The best features of the aquatic centre is the 3 pool availability and quality of the swimming lessons
Find out more visit our website
gosford.nsw.gov.au https://www.facebook.com/Plcpool https://www.facebook.com/gosfordpool @gosford_council