Shepparton is on track to become the Arts and Culture hub of the Goulburn Valley thanks to a $10 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government towards the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Redevelopment Project.
Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford said funding towards the $34.5 million project has been approved by Regional Development Victoria.
“This is our vision for regional Victoria: we want regional Victoria to have the best of everything because it deserves no less,” said Minister Pulford. “Through investing in Arts and Culture in the heart of the Goulburn Valley, we will boost regional tourism, create more local jobs and put Shepparton on track to becoming a destination of choice for Melburnians.”
The Labor Government is now calling on the Commonwealth to match our $10 million in funding under the National Stronger Regions Fund round three allocation.
The project will see the Shepparton Art Museum relocated to the more prominent and accessible location of the Victoria Lake Park. The Government is working to strengthen Shepparton as a cultural destination, creating more local jobs, boosting visitor numbers and attracting business investment and consumer spending in the region’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
The redevelopment will deliver a new art museum with increased capacity to showcase its unique ceramics, indigenous and multi-cultural collections to Victorian, interstate and international visitors. Shepparton Council’s business case for the project forecasts it will lead to an increase in visitation to the art museum from 36,869 to over 90,000 in three years’ time and up to 100,000 in five years.
Over the construction phase, the project will inject $34.5 million in the local economy, and create 72 direct and 109 indirect jobs. Once operational, the museum will increase visitor spending in the region by $6.25 million per annum and provide 23 direct jobs by year ten.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Dinny Adem said the investment will have a significant positive impact on the economy of our region. “A new SAM is a game changer for Greater Shepparton. It will position our region as a strong tourism destination and will attract more visitors, entice more people to live here and investors to the area, as well as diversifying our economy,” said Cr Adem.
“We are extremely grateful for the funding and very excited by the Andrew’s Government’s $10 million investment towards making a new SAM a reality. We congratulate the state government on their vision. As a significant investor they are key to bringing to fruition a unique regional art museum experience, although the new SAM will be much more than an art museum,” said Cr Adem.
For more information, visit: www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au for details.
Image: GSCC Director Community Kaye Thomson, Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford, GSCC Mayor Dinny Adem – courtesy of Greater Shepparton City Council