Diggers & Dealers to go ahead despite venue closure

Diggers & Dealers chairman Nick Giorgetta says the forum has been assured by the state government that its August event in Kalgoorlie will go ahead, despite the venue’s sudden closure by the state.

Yesterday it was revealed that the Goldfields Arts Centre in Kalgoorlie would lose $300,000 in annual state funding, with the government to place the venue on care and maintenance from tomorrow.

It is the same venue that was due to host the Diggers & Dealers mining forum in August.

However, Mr Giorgetta said the forum had been advised by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery that all existing bookings at the arts centre would be honoured.

“(Ms Ellery) also said she would work with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to resolve the outstanding issues for the longer term resolution for the future of the arts centre,” he said.

“This relates to an ongoing dispute between the city and state government regarding ongoing responsibility for operations and deficit funding of the arts centre.

“Diggers & Dealers continues to take a long-term commitment to Kalgoorlie-Boulder and encourages all parties to ensure the arts centre remains a valuable part of the Goldfields community.”