Port Stephens Council will begin investigating sites for an at least 500-seat performing arts centre.
Advocates have been calling for an arts and entertainment centre in Port Stephens for years, but only now has the council joined the push to make the dream a reality.
Proponents of the centre from the Tomaree Cultural Development Group (TCDG) addressed the council meeting on June 23, before the motion was unanimously passed.
TCDG chair Kathie Barnes said the group had been working for four years on the project, commissioning a concept plan and economic impact assessment for a "flagship" centre.
"Their work is an inspiring combination of performance facility and exhibition space imagined as a unique and beautiful community asset" she said.
"A place for gathering and creating for now and for future generations."
The economic report, based on a project with 500 seats and costing about $60 million, suggests benefits of more than $100 million over 30 years, and estimates it would attract 76,000 people a year.
"The proposed arts and entertainment centre will become the hub of the community for both local residents and visitors and the preferred destination for collaborative and creative arts in Port Stephens" Ms Barnes said.
She said the centre could attract world-class touring companies, such as Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company, or Bangarra Dance Theatre.
"To be economically viable for these companies, a performance space needs seating for 500 audience members plus, props and scenery storage, dressing and rehearsal spaces, and professional lighting, engineers and a purpose built loading dock," she said.
The group explored more than 20 existing community spaces finding none housed audiences of a sustainable size.
"The maximum we found was a hopeful 300, many are historic and modest in function," Ms Barnes said.
She said the centre would "stimulate a sleepy night-time economy, fill a gap in the Port Stephens entertainment scene and provide dozens of creative groups that are already here, a home.
"The time is now," she said.
TCDG member Christopher Bowman said Port Stephens and Maitland were rare LGAs without dedicated entertainment centres despite populations of more than 50,000.
"Many smaller LGAs, smaller than ours, have them already," he said.
"We have spaces that are good for surfing, youth, First Nations, but not as good for cultural performances and exhibitions.
Mr Bowman said there were many options for a location.
"There is a site right near council in Raymond Terrace, it could be incorporated into redevelopment of the Library in Salamander Bay," he said.
"We want one, we don't really care where it goes."
Council's motion recognised that performing arts were crucial for building community identity, wellbeing, and economic growth in Port Stephens. It asked the general manager to investigate potential performing arts space options.
Mayor Leah Anderson said the council had been exploring opportunities in different spaces, but acknowledged there was no large performing arts centre in Port Stephens.
She said it was about time a centre was officially on the council's agenda, but made it clear there was no allocated funding to re-purpose an existing facility or build a centre.
"This will give us an opportunity to apply for grant funding and we can take that next step of advocacy to the state and federal government.
"The future looks bright."
Councillor Mark Watson said there were many places where a centre could go.
"What is important is having it there for our community and the future children that are growing into our communities."
Councillor Nathan Errington said that, at the moment, performers had to look outside of Port Stephens to find a suitable venue.
"By investing in a modern indoor arts centre we can keep these events, performances and activities," he said.
Councillor Jason Wells said a centre would provide access to the arts and performances for young people.
"They don't really have access to live performances frequently," he said.
"I've seen the value that cultural and creative opportunities bring to individual well being, social connection and community pride.
"This kind of centre will give us something more local for our young people."
Deputy mayor Chris Doohan floated the idea of a joint venture with Maitland council for a shared centre.
"There is potential for a Maitland-Port Stephens partnership," he said.
"That brings into play more than mayors meeting up, or councils meeting up, but communities coming together that could really grow into something.
"Then you have MPs, state and federal, who can advocate for us.
"The pyramid of advocacy could be really strong for us if we went that way."
