A new indoor arts and performance facility is not on the council’s agenda, despite desperate pleas from local community groups.

Augusta Margaret River Shire chief executive Gary Evershed told the Times there were a number of other projects that would take priority over the development of a theatre and local arts groups should band together to develop a privately funded facility.

“It is all a matter of the priority for council funds when the community is calling for better roads, extensions to Rails to Trails, men’s sheds, streetscape works, tiered seating at the Cultural Centre and new toilet facilities,” Mr Evershed said.

“We also need to start looking after the 152 buildings we currently have better before adding to the list.

“An existing, under-utilised facility is the solution and an incorporated body needs to source grant funds to make the conversion.

“Co-location with a sporting club is also an option.”

Margaret River Theatre Group secretary Nicky Batrick-Nolan said the arts fraternity had been neglected in Margaret River and the council should put strong thought towards investing in a purpose-built performance centre.

She said Margaret River, which had a reputation as an arts hub, was falling behind regional neighbours.

Theatre group committee member Carolyn Forte said she toured Margaret River last year with Mr Evershed, who suggested the former hospital site, sheds at the Old Settlement, the Old Railway on Clarke Road and some abandoned community halls were possible sites for a performance space.

“It’s insanity that Margaret River, which is an arty-farty place, doesn’t have a theatre,” she said.

Ms Forte said she would consider building a community-funded straw bail theatre if the council offered the theatre group a central piece of land to develop it.

“The facility I’ve envisaged is very friendly with coffee lounges, about a 200-person capacity and an intimate venue that would be very utilised,” she said.

Arts Margaret River president Anne Shepherdson said she would encourage the theatre group to pursue the facility, with caution.

“Practically, we know how hard it is to for us just to survive,” Mrs Shepherdson said.