Queenscliff Town Hall upgrade

The Queenscliff Music Festival Inc. (QMF), in partnership with the Borough of Queenscliffe is working towards the upgrade of the Queenscliff Town Hall as a purposeful creative space. 

The QMF has been successful in securing two grants to undertake an initial (Phase 1) upgrade that will include:

• The installation of sound & lighting systems to support a broad range of performances;
• Screen and projector installation to support films and presentations;
• Items to support the functionality and improve sound quality; and
• Improved venue marketing collateral 

The project is being managed under a governance structure that includes a Project Control Group and a Project Working Group comprising BOQ officers & QMF representatives that have been meeting regularly for last 2 months. 

QMF has also received grant funding as part of this project, to deliver a series of concerts beginning late 2021. It is envisioned that these concerts would be held on weekends, approximately once a month.

The overall project stands to benefit many existing and new Hall users including community groups, local schools, and local creative artists/performers, events such as the Bellarine Lighthouse Film Festival and Queenscliff Literary Festival and the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Benefits include:

• The Hall upgrades will significantly reduce hire of equipment costs for event organisers
• Improved accessibility including Hearing Loop
• Improved equipment to facilitate Council meetings
• Improved use and functionality of the Hall. ie. chair movement & storage
• Improved awareness of the Hall with dedicated venue website to promote event activities on Queenscliff Town Hall social media channels and website.
• Improved facilities will strengthen the Borough of Queenscliffe arts and culture destination reputation and will assist in securing new key concerts/events and ultimately may attract many hundreds of visitors to the towns.

User engagement

The project plan initial engagement objective was to seek feedback from a range of current users of the Town hall.

Two categories of Hall users were identified – Primary and Secondary

• Primary Hall users were identified and met as a group to discuss the way the Hall is currently used, as well as their vision for improving the Hall as a Creative Space.

• Secondary Hall users were also engaged via a survey seeking feedback on current and potential issues.

The consultation with the both Primary and Secondary users identified and confirmed the following key challenges regarding current use of the Town Hall:

• Sound quality
• Functionality of the Hall
• Seating
• Storage
• Booking arrangements