Let’s Build the Surf Coast Cultural Centre!
Surf Coast Shire Council is encouraging community members to email MPs and candidates via its web portal to highlight what the project would mean for the community.
The Surf Coast Cultural Centre will create a striking new artistic hub in Torquay, modernising undersized existing facilities and providing a place for lifelong learning, social connections and expression through the arts.
The two-stage project will incorporate the:
- Australian National Surfing Museum
- Torquay Library
- Multi Arts Centre – community-led performing and visual arts space
- Makers’ spaces and rehearsal space
- Visitor Information Centre
- Wadawurrung Aboriginal cultural, visual and environmental heritage
- Surfing Victoria office
- Cafe
Stage one plans for the centre include redevelopment and expansion of the Australian National Surfing Museum, with its internationally-significant collection, joining Torquay Library and Torquay Visitor Information Centre in a new building incorporating the existing redeveloped Multi Arts Centre, MAC.
Stage two development would involve a new 250-seat studio theatre, gallery, artist-in-residence studio and backstage areas for performers in place of the current MAC building.
What G21 wants
- $30 million for the Surf Coast Cultural Centre (Stage 1).
- $20 million for the Surf Coast Cultural Centre (Stage 2).
Surf Coast Shire Council has committed $8 million and the Torquay Surf City site for the first stage.
Regional benefits
The total project will bring significant economic benefit for the region with construction projected to support 148 jobs and a completed stage one forecast to inject an additional $243 million in direct and indirect tourist expenditure in the Great Ocean Road region, supporting more than 750 jobs.
Development of the Surf Coast Cultural Centre is recognised under the Creative Industries and the Cultural Economy Priority Project.
More: https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/CulturalCentre