The Surf Coast Shire will build its Cultural Facility and Library project in stages and will seek $9 million in funding to deliver stage one.
The four-in-one facility will include a new library, Australian National Surfing Museum, visitor Information and arts facility and will support a vibrant local arts community, which will increase visitation and rejuvenate the Surf City Precinct.
The existing Multi Arts Centre in the former sport and recreation building will receive the first upgrade with $1.4 million from the federal government’s 2022 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure allocation to refit the space as an arts facility.
The new library, Surf Museum, visitor information centre, maker spaces and rehearsal spaces, worth $33 million, would ideally be completed by 2024, under stage one. To help deliver this, Surf Coast Shire will pursue $9 million in funding from the state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund ($7.5 million) and Living Libraries Infrastructure Program ($1.5 million).
Stage two is expected in 2030 and will deliver a fully developed new 250-seat theatre, brand new gallery and artist in residence area. At an estimated $21 million, Surf Coast Shire will need to secure future funding to help deliver this state-of-the-art facility.
This is G21 priority under the Creative Industries and Cultural Economy project.
