Council has secured a further $1.5 million in Federal Government for the development of the Mudgee Cultural Precinct, with the aim of getting work started within the coming months.
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The project will further develop a cultural precinct to compliment the gallery at 90 Market Street, Mudgee.
The site, which is the former Cudgegong Council Chambers and grounds, will also house the tourist information centre that's outgrown its current premises adjacent to the Mid-Western Regional Council Chambers.
Delivered through the Federal Government's Building Better Regions Fund, this additional funding will be put towards equipping the precinct to provide a hub to promote, nurture and facilitate participation in art, creativity and cultural activities.
Mayor Des Kennedy said that when completed, the project will feature several components catered to a variety of art and cultural interests including dedicated work spaces for artists.
"I'd like to thank the Federal Government and local member Andrew Gee for providing support for this project," Cr Kennedy said.
"This is a significant amount of money that will allow us to take this cultural precinct to the next level in terms of what we can offer locals, visitors to the region and artists in residence.
"Last month the construction tender for the project was awarded to Hutchinson Builders, who have recently completed the Mudgee Hospital Redevelopment and we are hoping to have shovels on site in coming months."
Federal member for Calare, Andrew Gee, who made the announcement last week, was enthusiastic about the project.
"The additional funding of $1.5 million will take an already excellent project to a whole new level. It will mean more elements will be added to the gallery and the whole precinct can be brought to life," Mr Gee said.
At their May meeting, Council voted to accept a tender for the regional Art Gallery and Tourism Information Centre project, however were also required to fund an additional $2.5 million.
This was because the design phase included provision for reports by the contracted quantity surveyor, which established budget costings of around $4 million (excluding GST). But once the tendering process began, this estimate turned out to be significantly below what was possible to complete the project.
Thus all submissions were beyond the original budget and additional funds would be required.
Ultimately, they voted to accept the submission from Hutchinson Builders at the tendered price of $6,422,812.73 (ex GST) and to fund an additional $2.5 million from the Capital Reserve. And to work with Government to seek ways to offset the added amount.
