Councillors voted at their meeting last month to hold the workshop following a report from general manager Stephen Harding.

Explaining the purpose of the workshop Mr Harding said should Council wish to explore options for the future operation or expansion of the Age of Fishes, it may be opportune to conduct a workshop for Councillors to review the current management and financial arrangements and consider short and long term options for the museum”.

He added the Museum’s board is continually assessing the ongoing operation of the museum in a very competitive tourism market, recently inviting a number of stakeholders to a workshop to develop a strategic plan for the facility. 

“The board has a number of long term goals for the museum, including revamping and updating the exhibition and gallery area; acquiring the dig site where the fossils were discovered and developing an interpretive centre at the dig site,” Mr Harding said.

“While the cost of these projects is beyond the current financial capacity of the Age of Fishes Museum, the board and management, in conjunction with Council’s Community Engagement and Development Manager and Grants Officer, have either lodged grant applications or are exploring grant funding opportunities for these major projects,” he said.

Cabonne Council has been responsible for the employment of the museum’s manager since 2008 but the day-to-day operations are the responsibility of the museum’s board of directors.

In its 2016-17 Budget, Cabonne Council provided a one-off allocation of $50,000 to fund a marketing campaign for the museum, as well as a one-off allocation of $60,000 to carry out urgent maintenance work.

At its Ordinary Meeting in November 2017, Council agreed to donate half of the outstanding rates owed by the museum. This equated to $1,142.

Council also makes a vehicle available for museum work-related purposes only.