By Parker McKenzie
Yarra Ranges Council will extend its a partnership with Burrinja Cultural Centre for another four years after a unanimous decision from councillors.
There will also be an option to extend it for a further two years.
During the council meeting on Tuesday 13 December, Councillor David Eastham said Burrinja provides “so much for our community”.
“Yarra Ranges Council has had this partnership with Burrinja for almost 20 years. Not just that, it is one of our most significant partnership agreements,” he said.
“We’re all aware of the tough financial environment that we are in and need to think critically about the amounts that we put into these agreements.”
The council will enter a partnership with Burrinja Cultural Centre for a four-year term with two one-year options to extend, annual funding of $592,885 and updated KPIs.
Cr Eastham said the proposal would keep Burrinja’s funding at a set amount without increases over the four to six-year window.
“I know there’s a number of people that have spoken to me about this, and that there’ll be people watching wondering about that funding staying constant but I don’t want to dwell on it because to me this really is a good news story,” he said.
“Burrinja, as I mentioned, is such an important cultural institution and provides so many valuable services and support to the community. It’s been particularly important in recent times, coming out of Covid then of course the storms.”
In the 2021-22 financial year, over 30,000 people attended Burrinja Cultural Centre, with 800 artists being supported and over 600 unique artworks displayed in the galleries.
Cr Tim Heenan said the “asset” originally belonged to the Shire of Sherbrooke — which was abolished and absorbed into Yarra Ranges Council — and earmarked to be saved.
“Its delivery of all things arts has been so fantastic since its inception, and it’s grown and grown and grown over the years,” he said.
“It’s only going to get better and as a great asset to the Dandenong Ranges.”
The motion to continue the partnership was passed unanimously.
