Works start on museum upgrade

Council contractors have started work on the Museum of the Riverina capital works redevelopment project at the Botanic Gardens site with the first stage expected to be finished towards the end of this year.

The project will incorporate major improvements to the museum's exhibition spaces and collection storage areas.

Council’s Project Manager Tom Lemerle said site mobilisation for the project was completed in February after a comprehensive tender period along with design revision and preparation for construction of the new exhibition building currently being finalised.

“Council also received funding from the Federal Government and this funding has allowed us to progress stage two of the museum capital works redevelopment program, which is focused on exhibition design and fit out,” Mr Lemerle said.

“Universal Design principles of accessibility and inclusivity have been a big focus of this project, along with ongoing community consultation and implementation of Wiradjuri cultural heritage perspectives as part of the research and development of the new exhibitions spaces.

“We’re creating new exhibition spaces and upgrading storage areas to manage the Museum’s large and diverse permanent collection holdings which are valuable community assets.

“This project will improve an existing community facility to provide a new and inclusive experience for residents and visitors to our City as part of the overall visitor experience at the Botanic Gardens Precinct.”

This capital works project received funding from both the NSW Government through the Regional Cultural Fund of $3.18M and the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions fund of $1.7M.

Image: Council Project Manager Tom Lemerle (left) and Museum of the Riverina Manager Luke Grealy at the museum’s Botanic Gardens site which is undergoing a major redevelopment.