Shire seeks $20m more for Torquay cultural facility

THE Surf Coast Shire is hoping to secure as much as $20 million more in state and federal funding to help build its new Cultural Facility and Library in Torquay.

To be located at 77 Beach Road, the four-in-one facility will include a new library, Australian National Surfing Museum, Visitor Information Centre and arts facility.

The project’s first stage includes construction of the library, Surf Museum, Visitor Information Centre, maker spaces and rehearsal spaces.

This stage, hoped to be delivered in 2024, is estimated to cost $33 million, with the council committing just over $8 million and seeking up to $25 million in external funding.

Stage two, estimated for 2030, will deliver a fully developed new 250-seat theatre, gallery and artist in residence area at an estimated cost of $21 million.

At their meeting last week, councillors resolved to apply for up to $10 million from the state government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund and up to $10 million from the latest round of the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

The council has already submitted applications to the Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF), seeking a maximum of $7.5 million, and the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, seeking a maximum of $1.5 million, and is awaiting the outcome of these in early 2022.

In their report to councillors, officers expressed doubt that the shire will get the full $7.5 million from the GSF.

“While council has applied for the highest amount in both of these funds, officers are aware that no single council has ever attracted the maximum amount from the GSF,” the report states.

“Our recent experience with the GSF in applying for components of the Aquatic and Health Centre was that council was successful in gaining $3.5 million from a $4 million application.”

Cr Liz Pattison said the Cultural Facility and Library was a priority project for the council.

“This is a really significant project for the local community, so we’re exploring every option to gain state and federal government support to make it a reality as soon as possible.

“We know it will generate major cultural, social and economic benefits for locals, visitors and the broader region. It will be a wonderful addition to the Surf City precinct.

“Our surf museum has just been identified as having one of the most significant collections of surfing exhibits internationally – it deserves a home more fit for purpose.

“Our community is crying out for a larger, more modern library.

“And as a creative hotspot we need spaces and places for creators and performers to come together.”