ART GALLERY IS GO!
Published on 08 March 2019
This release is from the Office of Michelle Landry MP
‘I solemnly charge the future citizens of Rockhampton to maintain and advance this Gallery in years to come. This is the least that we can expect of the citizens of tomorrow in return for the splendid contribution made by the citizens of today' – late Mayor Rex Pilbeam.
Rockhampton’s long-awaited Art Gallery project is one step closer with an exciting announcement today in the beef capital.
The Art Gallery project will become a reality after successfully receiving funding as part of Round Three of the Federal Liberal National Government’s highly successful and popular Building Better Regions Fund.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said the Liberal National Government’s investment in local projects under Round 3 will help grow the economy and build a strong future for Australia’s regions.
“Rockhampton has long known of Rex Pilbeam’s amazing collection but seldom have they been able to really get a good look at it.
“This project will deliver so much for the region and provide opportunity to not only get a better look at our own collections but to have the opportunity to attract major travelling exhibits that previously passed our region by.
“It is projects such as this that make our regional communities even better places to live, work and raise a family and I’m excited to see the positive difference this funding will make to the community.” said Ms Landry.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow welcomed today’s announcement for the new Art Gallery which will be constructed next door to the iconic Customs House on Quay Street.
“We are very grateful to the support of Michelle Landry and the Federal Government. The new art gallery will draw people into Quay Street and add another layer of activity amongst our beautiful heritage Riverside,” Mayor Strelow said.
“This generous funding will trigger the release of the $8 million committed by the State Government. It is the Grant that will allow us to begin building the space that our nationally significant collection deserves.
“The new Art Gallery will have space to put Rex Pilbeam's legacy collection on display as well as being able to accept major travelling exhibitions that we have previously missed out on due to space restrictions.
“Rex Pilbeam charged us with the task of advancing his collection four decades ago. His words been the inspiration behind this project.
“We will now go out to tender and we anticipate work to commence on site in the second half of this year.
“The designs have been developed by Conrad Gargett, in conjunction with Clare Design and Yeppoon architect Brian Hooper.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to ensuring Australia’s regions remain strong, resilient and prosperous in the long term.
“We are supporting our regions through investing in important local infrastructure, as well as great community-building and planning initiatives under the Building Better Regions Fund and other Government priorities such as the Regional Growth Fund and our decentralisation agenda,” Mr McCormack said.
“In this round we are also investing more than $70 million in regional tourism infrastructure, to support those many regional communities that rely on tourism to bolster their economy.
“We have seen fantastic outcomes from the first two rounds, and today’s announcement continues our commitment to unlocking the economic potential of regional Australia and ensuring our regions continue to thrive.”