The $14.6 million redevelopment at the Port of Sale to create a broad use community and civic space is on track to open to the public during the first week of January.
Visiting the new Port of Sale Cultural Hub today, Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the hub included a regional art gallery, public library, visitor information centre and café.
“This facility will add a major cultural element to the area’s already strong history and has provided an economic boost for the region with 28 jobs created during construction and 17 ongoing jobs following project completion.
“Linking a major public building with the historic Port of Sale is creating a precinct that will provide long term benefits for our region.
“The local community will benefit from the stand alone library, which has been shared with Sale College in the past, and there are various community spaces with wifi access.
“The centre has been designed to bring art to the people, and features various changing exhibitions throughout the facility in addition to the designated regional art gallery space.
“It is an impressive development and I encourage locals to go along during the January holiday period and make use of the resources on offer.”
Wellington Shire Council Mayor Carolyn Crossley said she was pleased with the outcome of the combined investment by Federal, State and Local Governments.
“We are getting very close now to the much anticipated opening of the revitalised Port of Sale and it was a pleasure to escort the Minister through the building that is totally unrecognisable from its past life,” Cr Crossley said.
The Federal Government contributed $4.5 million toward the project, the Victorian Government $4.75 million, Wellington Shire Council $3.8 million, The John Leslie Foundation $1.53 million and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd $30,000.
