Planning to begin for museum redevelopment

BRIDGE Street’s Golden Dragon Museum is one step closer to undergoing its planned major redevelopment after receiving support from the State Government’s Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund.

The $392,758 grant will go towards a Functional Brief and Schematic Design Project in order to progress planning for three new exhibition spaces, an immersive theatre, research centre and education studio, plus new building exteriors and updated amenities and storage.

The investment adds to an $800,000 pledge from the Federal Government in March, meaning the design project is now fully funded.

The museum’s collection holds items of international significance including Bendigo’s Imperial processional dragons – Loong, Sun Loong and Dai Gum Loong – with the current facilities opened in 1991 deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Other projects financed across the state in this round of funding include construction of an underground car park at Avalokitesvara Yuan Tong Monastery in Deer Park, lighting upgrades at the Museum of Chinese Australian History in the City of Melbourne, and courtyard improvements at the Chinese Association of Victoria in Wantirna.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt said Victoria’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and her Government continues to back programs like the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund in order to ensure multicultural communities have a place to come together.

“Having culturally appropriate places to gather, celebrate and preserve traditions is also about making sure people have safe and accessible places to celebrate and preserve their traditions,” she said.

More information is available on the Victorian Government website.