Recently the Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Jacinta Allan,
announced funding of $950 000 for major upgrades and refurbishments of the
Hamilton arts precinct, bringing the total amount for the Hamilton Performing
Arts Centre redevelopment to $1.7 million. The funding will result in the
building of a new forecourt area; upgrades to the box office, foyer and public
amenities; new seating in the auditorium; and safety upgrades and improvements
to lighting and interior design.
Cr Marcus Rentsch, Southern Grampians shire mayor, joined the
minister at the announcement and was quoted on the front page of the Hamilton
Spectator as saying:
- The announcement of this $950 000 funding in conjunction with the funds the
council has made available for this project will ensure that the Hamilton arts
precinct continues to be one of the premier cultural destinations in
south-western Victoria.
It is plain to see the dedication of the Brumby government to
regional arts, with its commitment to arts in Hamilton, as well as earlier this
year with its commitment of $570 000 to Glenelg shire for improvements to the
Portland Arts Centre, Portland Civic Hall, Casterton town hall and the Heywood
community hall. As well as this, the Brumby Labor government has recently
committed $25 000 to Regional Arts Victoria to support its network of
development officers, who have helped shape the south-west’s cultural scene. The
seven regional arts development officers continue to play an important role in
promoting and strengthening regional arts in Victoria. I thank and congratulate
them on their fantastic work.