In 2008, we entered a 15 year sub-lease agreement for the Capitol Theatre. With the lease due to expire in 2023, the Capitol has proved that a live theatre is crucial to the cultural fabric of the city and region. It has delivered positive social and economic outcomes but has some constraints with what it can deliver.

We now look towards planning a community-owned asset that can support the growth of our region's cultural and social offering as well as help attract new residents and professionals and be a drawcard for visitors.

There is an identified need for an arts centre and cultural precinct that will meet the aspirations of our growing city. A new dedicated performing arts centre located alongside the existing Tamworth Library and Tamworth Regional Gallery will deliver an arts precinct that meets the needs of the Tamworth community and greater region for the next 50 years and beyond - a community asset for the future.

With plans for the region and city to grow beyond 100,000 population, which will include CBD residential living, this centre's importance to the city will only become more critical. It is therefore timely to incorporate a planned approach to the future of Tamworth's Performing Arts.

At the ordinary meeting held 22 October 2019, Council approved for the Business Case for the Proposed Performing Arts Centre and Cultural Precinct to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.

The full business case and concept designs are available for viewing at Council branch offices, Capitol Theatre Box Office or below.

Council is now seeking public comment before the Business Case is submitted for Council to adopt. Public Exhibition will close 5:00pm Tuesday 19 November, 2019.