MOUNT Gambier City Council’s access to WIN Television’s historical treasure-trove of footage looks set to come at a cost with the network labelling the content highly valuable.
Negotiations have started between the two parties regarding the potential digitalisation of the footage for council to use for a range of purposes.
Council chief executive Andrew Meddle raised a number of questions in a letter to the broadcaster, which included enquiries in relation to access and fees.
In response to Mr Meddle’s queries, WIN Television production manager Andrew Sculley indicated the footage was “highly valued” by the network.
“The access, ability to preview, cost for duplication and use of vision would be in accordance with National Sound and Film Archive (NSFA) policies and permissions given by the WIN network,” Mr Sculley said.
At Tuesday night’s inaugural Economic and Environment committee meeting, Mr Meddle said the broadcaster’s position was made clear.
“They are absolutely clear that this is their footage, this is their choice going forward what they do with it,” Mr Meddle said.
“Because it has such a significant commercial value, they are not going to give it to anyone … so if you want to use it for commercial purposes you will pay the going rate.”
Councillor Ben Hood suggested council could receive access to the footage, without it losing its commercial value for the broadcaster.
“Council could be listed – along with WIN Television – the rights to the footage for us to be able to utilise that footage from the NSFA for internal council purposes only,” Cr Hood said.
“That does not remove the commercial aspect of their footage, but gives us the opportunity to utilise it for the community.”
Discussion in regards to a request from WIN Television for a “right of way” easement over the existing access driveway to their property was also included in Mr Meddle’s letter to WIN Television.
Mr Sculley responded by suggesting the resolution of the “right of way” should be a completely separate issue for council approval.
“One that should not carry any conditions around assets held in the archive of a private company,” Mr Sculley said.
Mayor Lynette Martin expressed her own concerns about binding the two issues together.
“I think we should treat these two issues separately because I feel like we are blackmailing them and I do not feel comfortable with that,” Ms Martin said.
“Isn’t it better to work with someone than work against them.”
Councillors Frank Morello and Sonya Mezinec both agreed, suggesting council should not “confuse the two issues”.
“They have made their position really, really clear and I do not think we are going to get very far if we pursue using this argument of tying those two things together,” Ms Mezinec said.
Cr Perryman argued it was the “one carrot” council had, which Cr Mezinec refuted.
“This is not a carrot, we are not going to get anywhere with this, in fact we are likely to get them more off-side,” she said.
“And what are they going to do, take Christmas away from us?” Cr Perryman responded.
While no resolution was agreed, a motion was carried to put the issues back on the table at next month’s council meeting.
