Creative Spaces and Venues Discussion Paper
Preserving creative character
Brief
Sydney’s Inner West prides itself on being a rich creative and cultural community and a place that fosters social cohesion thanks to this identity. Home to double the number of creative industry workers than the rest of Greater Sydney, the Inner West’s ability to maintain this critical mass of creative businesses is critical to its economic future. However, the Inner West is changing rapidly, shaped by forces beyond its control. The affordable and flexible industrial spaces that have long housed the Inner West’s creative industries are fast disappearing due to residential re-zoning.
Approach
Inner West Council approached Left Bank Co. and our collaborators at JOC Consulting to help them seek ways to protect the assets that house creative and cultural activity and businesses. We partnered to deliver an in-depth creative venues and spaces study to evaluate the current state of affairs for the provision of creative space and find solutions to counter the impacts of gentrification on the sector. Through engagement with stakeholders, analysis of current policy settings and strategic workshops, we identified what actions Council could possibly take to protect creative and cultural assets within the LGA. We compiled the insights and actions into a public-facing Discussion Paper.
Impact
The resulting Discussion Paper has demonstrated to the community that Council is committed to actively protecting and fostering its creative spaces and venues. This is an important tool to underpin strategic planning decisions and managing local character, arming Council staff with the knowledge they need to work together to preserve the sector that make the LGA unique.