Plans to plug tourism gap coincide with redevelopment

THE Bendigo Art Gallery has been completely emptied and its priceless collection stored for safekeeping as the start date for the site’s redevelopment looms large.

To be delivered by Fairbrother Construction, the project is expected to create an additional 260 jobs in the local construction sector and an extra 170 jobs for the local economy when the gallery is scheduled to re-open in 2028.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the project’s stakeholders were ready for the task ahead.

“Today we take the next step on this exciting journey to creating a building of national and international significance,” he said at last week’s sod turning ceremony.

“This will be a vibrant and timeless building that will serve our community for decades to come, while reinforcing Bendigo’s status as a cultural capital in regional Australia.”

Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot said her team is excited about the tourism drawcard’s impending transformation.

“We are looking forward to delivering a world-class gallery space for our community and future generations,” she said.

To make sure View Street remains a lively shopping and dining hub during construction, several initiatives are planned over the coming months.

The View Street Amplified program, for example, kicks off on Saturday 28 February and will run monthly until November.

The series of free events will showcase upbeat, contemporary musicians on the steps of The Capital Theatre.

February’s acts include Deano Stanton at 11am, Grim Fawkner at 12pm and Tuck Shop Ladies at 1pm.

A series of large-scale artist-led events and public artworks are also planned for the precinct, commencing this year and extending into 2027.

The redevelopment is being funded by a $21 million investment from the State Government, $9 million from the City of Greater Bendigo, $4 million from the gallery board, and more than $9.35 million in philanthropic support.