Another round of community consultation about the proposed Swan Hill Our Place building will take place.
Architect sketches for the two proposed locations – inside the Pioneer Settlement and outside the Settlement near the art gallery – will be shared with the community.
Dates and format for the consultation are unknown at this stage and options are being considered as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Mayor Bill Moar said that when it was considered responsible to do so, there would be further consultation. Council staff are investigating various online options to ensure that the project timelines can be met. These will be to share information about the possible designs and to gather people’s views.
“We heard loud and clear as part of consultation in February that the community wanted to have a say on this building,” Cr Moar said.
“Architects have been working on these two sites and we will bring possible designs to the community, asking what they like about each of the two options,” he said.
“Please keep an eye on Council’s social media channels and other local media for details of the consultation.”
At their Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, Council heard a summary of the feedback received so far.
“After this next round of consultation, the plans will be progressed further and Councillors will move to make a decision on the location of the new building,” Cr Moar said.
Our Place will be a new building in Swan Hill to house the art gallery, visitor services, the Pioneer Settlement entrance and a new Aboriginal cultural experience.
The current proposal is for it to be built at the Pioneer Settlement on Monash Drive. In February 2020, Councillors resolved to investigate an alternative site for Our Place – in the area currently occupied by the gallery, Spoons and the associated carpark.
