THE Sunshine Coast is a step closer to having a much-needed new regional gallery, thanks to a transformational creative arts and cultural project taking place in a popular beach side suburb.
Sunshine Coast Council unanimously endorsed the detailed business case for a new Sunshine Coast Regional Gallery in Caloundra at last week’s Ordinary Meeting.
The business case will now be used as the foundation document to develop a funding strategy and advance conceptual designs this financial year.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said the new Regional Gallery was a key component of the vision for the Caloundra Community and Creative Hub precinct and would be an important cultural facility for the whole Sunshine Coast region.
“The benefits of investment in the new gallery are considerable in terms of generating economic activity in Caloundra and the wider Sunshine Coast region, increasing cultural awareness, improving sense of place and enhancing community development through increased liveability and public amenity,” Cr Landsberg said.
With current Council funding secured only to progress further planning and conceptual design, other significant external funding will be essential to deliver the facility in the future, the councillor said
The three-storey building will include a contemporary district library, a customer service centre and community spaces and Council administration and councillor offices. The refurbishment of the building is expected to start in the coming months, with completion scheduled for 2025.
Upon completion approximately 150 staff will work in the new state-of-the art building.