Burnie Cultural Centre Funding UPDATE

Published on 29 April 2022

Picture: Rodney Braithwaite, The Advocate

Council is pleased to announce that the Australian Government's $5 million commitment (originally intended for a new North West Museum and Art Galley building) has received approval to be redirected into the reimagined Burnie Cultural Centre project.

Council also welcomes the announcement made yesterday by the Federal Member for Braddon Gavin Pearce that if elected, an additional $5 million will be committed towards the project.

A submission to the Tasmanian Government as part of the 2022-23 State Budget has also been made for a further $5 million for the project. An outcome of this request will form part of the State Budget which will be handed down in May.

Burnie City Council Mayor Steve Kons said “Council has committed, as a key goal in its four year plan, to enhancing the attractiveness and vitality of our town centre. The Cultural Centre is a centerpiece to this vision – we will create an integrated facility that is at the heart of cultural, artistic and creative experiences for the Burnie community.”

Burnie City Council General Manager Simon Overland said “this new funding commitment would ensure the cultural precinct would be able to be completed in one stage which will minimise the disruption to the community.”

Council have appointed the architectural firm for the project and an Architectural Design Response Report is currently being developed. Council anticipates that this will be delivered shortly and will be followed by the development of draft architectural plans which will then be the basis of a public consultation process.

Once the architectural design is agreed upon, Council will call for construction tenders and will appoint a contractor to undertake the work with construction planned to begin in early 2023 and aimed for completion by the end of that year.