Italian Forum fees not excessive: management

The president of the Italian Forum Limited, Ron Reynolds, has hit back at critics over management of the Forum’s cultural centre and expressed his confidence in Mayor Darcy Byrne’s commitment to the venue.

In a comment on this newspaper’s website, Mr Reynolds denied the centre was charging exorbitant fees for the use of its facilities. He welcomed suggestions for how the Forum could attract more visitors and events.

“We have two sets of fees, one for commercial and one for NFP [not-for-profit] organisations and they can be obtained from the office,” he said.

“Once again I remind these critics that these ideas have been discussed at Strata meetings and in personal conversations with business owners at various times over the past four years.”

Mr Reynolds acknowledged past tensions between the Forum’s various stakeholders but said the time had come to move on and work together.

“When I accepted the Presidency, I made it clear to all I met with that there would be a new order, greater transparency and an attempt to overcome the dysfunction that has plagued the Italian Forum since its beginning,” he said.

The IFL has accepted a $108,000 loan from Leichhardt Council in order to pay down debts and undertake marketing initiatives. But it is also looking for new financiers, and sought the assistance of the federal member for Grayndler, and now Deputy Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.

“The letter to Mr Albanese was written to bring to his attention our current situation,” Mr Reynolds said. “In respect to outside investment, the discussions are ongoing, and at this stage there is no comment to be made.”

The letter warned Mr Albanese the cultural centre would close by August if a plan to reduce debt was not established. Leichhardt Council is bound by legal agreement to keep the centre operating until 2016. Mr Reynolds now says he hopes to work with Council to make that happen.

“I am encouraged by our Leichhardt Mayor’s comments and his current drive to bring entertainment and the skills of Renew Australia to Leichhardt,” he said.

Mr Reynolds admits he has no easy answers when it comes to the actions of landlords who would rather their stores remained empty than accept lower rents. But he reminded business owners that they have a role to play.

“I should also add that the IFL has outstanding substantial moneys owed to it because it has not received licence fees from the restaurants that are due,” he wrote.

Mr Reynolds said he hopes to initiate “a more optimistic future where instead of sniping we will see input and cooperation between us all”.