MAITLAND Council has backed a report pushing for an action plan to establish a new and revolutionised model for museums in the city.
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On Tuesday, the draft report was unanimously supported by councillors which will see a plan to develop a new approach to enhancing the presentation and sustainability of the city’s historical collections.
The extensive 147-page Open Museums, Open Minds report proposes the establishment of “an innovative regional museum operates under the banner of Open Museums Open Minds and that operates outside the idea of a single building as the only destination”.
Labor councillor Robert Aitchison moved the motion, commending the work of council officers in preparing the report. “This is probably one of the most in-depth reports I’ve seen come back to Maitland Council in the term I’ve been here,” he said.
“It has gone through and identified everything in Maitland that could be of significance. I think it’s a great plan that’s being put forward.
“We have such a rich heritage in our city. We also have many diverse community groups which all have a little part of knowledge which make up our great city.”
The report suggests council’s long term goal should aim to give visitors and residents access to “central gateways that entice them to engage with the locality and the experiences it has to offer, and to contribute to the interpretation and development of the city’s collections, places and experiences”.
Incorporated in the report are 12 of the city’s key historical collections and groups including Maitland Gaol, Mindaribba Keeping Place and Friends of Grossmann House/National Trust.
Liberal councillor Sally Halliday added it was an important part of sustaining Maitland’s identity.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to begin to actually gel a few things and move forward,” she said.
A further report outlining the action plan for implementation will be developed and presented to council in early 2019.