Council welcomes Queensland Government Commitment to Art Gallery

Published on 06 June 2018

Rockhampton Regional Council has welcomed today’s announcement from the Premier the Queensland Government will commit $8 million towards building the new $31.5 million Rockhampton Art Gallery.

Acting Mayor Cherie Rutherford said the pre-Budget announcement was fantastic news after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s strong words of support for the project in Parliament last month.

“To hear the Premier speak so passionately about the project in Question Time just a few weeks ago was a great boost and we are pleased to see those words have been backed up with strong action today,” Cr Rutherford said.

“The new art gallery will be so much more than just another building on Quay Street.

“It will finally allow us to display our nationally significant Australian early modernist collection - which has been valued at $17 million and currently sits in storage due to a lack of display space.

“The new gallery itself will feature two large gallery spaces, three education spaces, a permanent storage collection, industry-standard loading dock, restaurant and retail shop.

“This project will drive economic growth, create local jobs, increase tourism numbers and cement our reputation as the premier cultural destination in Central Queensland.

“Council has budgeted its share of this project and we have a strong submission sitting with the Federal Government which are very hopeful will be successful and allow us to bring this project to life.

“Final design elements are being worked through now and, depending on the timing of funding announcements, this project is set to be completed by 2020.

“The Queensland Government also previously committed $2 million towards the business case and design work. We are incredibly thankful for the support of both the Premier and Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke on this project.”