SEATING is set to be replaced in the Handbury Auditorium at the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre (HPAC) after a motion was carried by the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday night.

In June 2022, Council was successful in securing $150,000 through Creative Victoria’s Creative Neighbourhoods Infrastructure Support Program, which provides one-off grants for infrastructure.

The total project cost is estimated to be about $270,000.

Speaking to item 10.3 on the agenda, SGSC planning and development acting director, Belinda Johnson presented a report which sought a resolution from Council to accept the grant and to fund the balance of the cost of those works.

“It is a 491 single tier seating auditorium with rear control room,” she said.

“The funding will contribute to the replacement of the seating infrastructure in the HPAC Auditorium which has not been upgraded in thirty years and no longer meets the expectations of contemporary audiences.

“The aging of the seats has reduced their comfort and presentation and the seats appear uneven and tattered.

“The straight-line configuration of the seating also detracts from the intimacy of the space and the project aims to improve wheelchair access across spaces and accessible theatre seats.

“It will bring industry ergonomic standard throughout, with a revised auditorium layout which will allow multiple access options for patrons, including a significant increase in aisle row seating.

“It will be fit for purpose for touring artists with the aim of establishing a viable touring circuit in the south west of Victoria.

“The old seats will be offered to community groups at no cost.”

Three seating options are proposed all of which will result in a reduced number of seats and reconfigure the aisle locations to be centrally located dividing existing rows into three banks (eight seats maximum per bank, 27 seats previously).

All configurations seek to minimize audience movement and disturbance during performances with greater access to aisles.

“All options allow for 11 relocatable seats…various options then come to a total of 436, 410 or 422 seats, so it is a reduction of around 50+ but overall width of seats is increasing and comfort,” Ms Johnson said.

The report stated that the project aims to provide the same performance experience for people with a disability as other audience members and there will be an increase in the number of accessible seats provided.

There will also be the opportunity for removable and relocatable seats to be utilised depending on audience needs (e.g. if no accessible seating is required, these can be reverted to regular seating minimising audience dispersal in the front row.)

 Tenders have been called and the closing date for submissions is October 31 with a decision to be made at a meeting prior to Christmas.

Councillor, Albert Calvano asked when it will be expected that the works be finalised to which Ms Johnson responded it was hoped works could be undertaken during the quieter period in January 2023.

“Timing is essential that we try and do this in amongst programming, so we are seeking a council decision prior to the Christmas break to notify successful tenderers,” she said.

Councillor, Katrina Rainsford moved the recommendation.

“Number one, we accept the grant of $150,000 through Creative Victoria’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program,”  she said.

“Secondly, we note tender specification has been prepared and advertised and thirdly that we reallocate $50,000 from savings in the 2022/23 operational budget, and finally fund the balance of the cost of the works up to an estimated $70,000 from the capital works program following review of the 2021/22 carried forwards 2022/23 current program for delivery in future years renewable allocations.

“I think this has been a very important priority for council for decades.”

The report stated that the average performance attendance for 2022 was 195.

“I don’t think very often those 500 seats are fully used, there are some major events where they are, but I would say most of the time if there is going to be limited seats people need to get in and book early. It would be good to have the auditorium looking more full.

“I really think it’s important for all abilities. Well done to the staff working to achieve this funding.”

Councillor, Greg McAdam seconded the motion and endorsed Cr Rainsford’s comments and said the seating arrangements at the PAC have been a festering sore in the community for many years now.

“Considering the fact that the PAC was actually only full three times last year …. I think the reduction in seating will be more than offset by the comfort it gives,” he said.

Community groups interested in finding a new life for some of the old seating are encouraged to contact Council.