SPARE PARTS PUPPET THEATRE — CLOSURE
660. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to recent media reports that
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre has been forced to cancel the remainder of its 2022
season due to the sudden decision by the Western Australian government to
condemn the theatre building. I also note that the exoskeleton was built in
2017, with an expected life span of five to 10 years.
(1) Was there a building
and asset management plan for Spare Parts Puppet Theatre; and, if yes, will the
minister please table the plan?
(2) Why was Spare
Parts Puppet Theatre given no notice of the closure, and therefore no time to
plan for this situation and look at alternative rehearsal and performance
spaces?
(3) What was the department
doing to monitor and manage the structural integrity of the theatre, and the
risk to staff and members of the public, prior to condemning the theatre?
(4) Will Spare
Parts Puppet Theatre receive financial support to ensure that it, along with contracted
artists, is not out-of-pocket because of the sudden cancellation of
performances?
(5) Is the
department working on a temporary solution and performance space, and is there
a plan to rebuild, redevelop or repair the condemned theatre and adjoining building
for Spare Parts Puppet Theatre?
Hon KYLE McGINN
replied:
I
thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been
provided to me by the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Culture and the Arts, on behalf of the Minister for Culture and the Arts.
(1)–(5) On 15 July 2022, the Department of Local
Government, Sport and Cultural Industries met with Spare Parts Puppet
Theatre to discuss the future of the Short Street theatre that houses Spare
Parts Puppet Theatre. At that meeting, Spare
Parts was advised that safety of staff, performers and audiences is the primary
concern and that urgent works were
required to the building. Spare Parts was advised that it could not be
guaranteed that these works would not disrupt its operations. DLGSC is
committed to working with Spare Parts to provide opportunities to minimise
impacts on its operations.
On 2 August 2022, the consultant team
engaged to document the proposed works advised DLGSC that the works would not address the underlying
structural integrity issues caused by the height of the watertable. Further, the consultant advised that the works
could not be undertaken safely. Based on the expert's advice,
DLGSC determined that the safety risk required that the auditorium be closed
immediately. Spare Parts was advised of the decision on 3 August 2022.
Structural integrity and compliance reports were prepared in 2015, 2017 and 2021. In addition, routine and
preventive maintenance has been undertaken. These reports and inspections, and the additional structural
support—the exoskeleton—installed in 2017, provided a level
of assurance that the building was safe at
that time. The urgent works that DLGSC had proposed to undertake were
identified as being required in the 2021 structural integrity report.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre remains a valued
part of the Western Australian arts ecology. The minister recently met with the
board and staff of Spare Parts to assure them that every effort would be made
to assist them during this time. He has directed DLGSC to work with Spare Parts
Puppet Theatre to minimise operational disruption and costs and to develop
short and long-term solutions.