The Slim Dusty Centre costs $296,000 a year to run – and council says it's worth it

The council-run Slim Dusty Centre is costing close to $300,000 to operate every year, with a recent council meeting analysing the performance of Kempsey’s signature tourist attraction.

🎸 A community asset: The keys of the Slim Dustry Centre museum and event space were handed over by the Kirkpatrick family and the Slim Dusty Foundation to Kempsey Shire Council in December 2022 as a community asset at no-cost.

🏠 Council takes on management: As new owners, the council took over management of the onsite Slim Dusty museum, regional art gallery, and cafe. However, in April this year, Key Café began operating both the café and catering services privately under a 12-month management agreement.

🏢 A multi-purpose space: The centre can also be hired as an event space, however the centre’s 2024-25 Annual Report found venue hire only contributes to about 9 percent of the centre’s total gross revenue.

✅ Report gives tick of approval: A report brought to the Kempsey Shire Council meeting on September 16, said despite the venue’s net cost of $296,435 per annum (excluding depreciation) it remains a cost-effective facility when compared to other council-run establishments on the Mid North Coast, noting The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie operating at a cost of  $2.5million, and Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Theatre and Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM). Council also reported a 34 percent reduction in the operating deficit ($153,732) during this period. 

🎨 Art, tours, and events: During the financial year, the centre hosted four gallery exhibitions, two community events, 29 group tours, and the space was hired 41 times. Tickets to the Slim Dusty Museum, which is full of memorabilia and awards, brought in $132,000 and retail sales amounted to more than $80,000.

The centre includes the Visitor Information Centre for the Macleay Valley, and recently introduced an Akubra outlet – another Kempsey icon.

Thumbnail: The Slim Dusty Centre Facebook page.