Launceston’s QVMAG Futures Plan Stalls Amid Leadership Change and Funding Concerns
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A plan to secure the financial future of Tasmania’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) appears to be losing momentum more than three years after it’s approval, raising concerns among stakeholders about the iconic institution’s long-term sustainability. Despite welcoming a record 162,000 visitors last financial year, the Launceston City Council-owned museum faces meaningful financial pressures, with projected expenses of $10.17 million in the 2025/26 fiscal year offset by just $2.8 million in revenue.
Ambitious Plan for Independence
In June 2022, the Launceston City Council unanimously approved an “ambitious” plan – dubbed the Future Directions Plan – to alleviate the financial burden on ratepayers. The core of the strategy involved transitioning QVMAG to a company limited by guarantee, overseen by an independent board and officially recognized as a charity. This restructuring was intended to unlock access to a wider range of funding opportunities, while the City of Launceston would retain ownership of the buildings and its extensive collection. then-Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten stated at the time that the plan aimed to set the institution “on a pathway to a enduring and secure future.”
Key Architect Departs
though, progress has stalled, and the recent resignation of QVMAG’s general manager, Shane Fitzgerald, has heightened anxieties. Fitzgerald, described as the “main architect” of the Futures Plan, had been working on its development and implementation for over three years. According to Vicki Dewsbury, president of QVMAG Friends, Fitzgerald was specifically “hired with the remit to find and implement a solution” to the museum’s financial challenges, and his research was both “comprehensive and compelling.”
Fitzgerald’s departure, communicated in a July 4 email from City of Launceston chief executive Sam Johnson to council staff, was framed as a voluntary move “to pursue new opportunities.” He has been contacted for comment.
Benchmarks Missed, Concerns mount
The Futures Plan outlined specific timelines for key milestones, including registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission by November of this year and the establishment of a new skills-based board next month. Neither of these objectives has been met.
tasmanian artist Michael McWilliams, whose work was recently featured in a successful exhibition at QVMAG, expressed his disappointment. “QVMAG would have become a major player in the cultural sector and been able to access funding opportunities that are currently beyond its scope,” McWilliams said. “It is indeed really disappointing to see the process has now been halted.” McWilliams emphasized that the plan was “not pie in the sky” but grounded in ample research.
Council Cites Unforeseen Complexities
Launceston Council chief executive Sam Johnson acknowledged the concerns but affirmed the council’s continued commitment to the Futures plan, stating they are “currently progressing most of the actions set out.” However,Johnson also revealed that the initial decision to transition to a company limited by guarantee may have been made without a full understanding of the associated legal and financial complexities. “This crucial investigative work is now being undertaken so we can properly progress all identified actions,” he explained.
johnson clarified that, while an independent board was initially envisioned, it is not required as long as the City of Launceston remains the owner and operator of QVMAG. He also noted that local government entities are ineligible for charitable status. The council is currently recruiting a successor to Fitzgerald, following his resignation in July.
The future of QVMAG, a cornerstone of Tasmania’s cultural landscape, remains uncertain as the council navigates these challenges and seeks a sustainable path forward.
