Questions asked of $2.5 million operating costs for Port Macquarie's Glasshouse

The cost of running Port Macquarie’s Glasshouse entertainment hub is in the spotlight once again, as a $2.5 million contribution by council continues to concern councillors.

🧠 We’ve been here before: The 2009 opening of Port Macquarie’s arts and entertainment hub, the Glasshouse, was clouded in controversy. 

A public inquiry in 2007 by the then-Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch, found the cost of the entertainment hub had blown out from initial estimations of $6.7 million in 2002 to $41.7 million, resulting in the council and its mayor being dismissed. 

In 2025, the cost of the council-run space remains in the spotlight.

🗞️ New report, similar questions: A report providing details of the Glasshouse finances for the 2024-25 financial year was presented to councillors at the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting on August 21.

The report found the arts, culture, leisure and entertainment centre cost the council more than $2.5 million ($2,535,616) to operate during the past financial year. The $2.5 million is a contribution taken from The General Fund, the main source of money that councils use to operate their day-to-day services and activities.

While the report also states this figure is five percent better than budgeted, it has raised concerns from some councillors. 

According to the report, the Glasshouse's operating income totaled $2,022,838, which was $121,712 below budget.

🗣️ Councillors speak up: The motion on the agenda was for councillors to simply note the report, however, Councillor Mark Hornshaw wanted to ensure the community was aware of the “significant loss”.

“Profit indicates that you’re serving people, that you’re creating value for people… it’s a society's way of saying ‘do more of this’,” Henshaw said. “A loss is the flip-side of that.”

“Profit and loss tells us what to do more of and what to do less of.”

“The Glasshouse is making a significant loss which means the community is saying ‘yeah we like it, but not that much. Not as much as it’s costing’.”

Speaking to the Mid North Coaster, Henshaw said the Glasshouse “ran an operating loss of $2.5 million last year, and ratepayers had to bail it out by that amount”.

A Port Macquarie-Hastings Council spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster the amount equates to around $31 per resident per year.

Henshaw claimed the council's contribution to the Glasshouse is significantly more than what is spent on the maintenance of all sporting fields combined.

Henshaw also pointed out the figure doesn’t include the cost of the building itself, which is fully paid off, “just the operating loss of the glasshouse performance spaces, gallery and visitor centre”.

Councillor Lisa Intemann agreed the $2.5M is too large a figure, but made a point of calling it a “cost” to the community rather than “a loss”, and said value is more than profit.

Intemann used the art gallery to make her point, saying it was one of the important offerings of the venue and is something council shouldn’t expect to get a return on.

“It’s a cultural highlight and not necessarily something you put a price on,” she said.

“Culture sometimes does cost and it has benefits beyond money.”

“After all, human beings have a value that goes beyond any price.”

Intemann supported looking at reducing the cost of operating the Glasshouse – to council and ratepayers – but said trying to reduce figures down to zero was not appropriate.

“We have a responsibility to invest in the community in various ways,” Intemann said. 

“There are things that need to be supported regardless.”

Intemann does not agree with the notion that everything council does has to be for profit. “We're here to provide a service and facilities to the community.” 

❓What next? A briefing is scheduled for later this month to provide an update to councillors on the progress of stage one of the Glasshouse Strategic Review.

Council’s audited financial results, including a full breakdown of performance, will be published in November 2025.

Thumbnail: Glasshouse Port Macquarie Facebook page.