Art Gallery refurbishment underway
A larger gallery with capacity to host more national and significant art exhibitions will be the result of a $2.7 million refurbishment of the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.
Work on the refurbishment project has started and the revamped gallery is set to re-open in April 2022.
Fraser Coast Regional Council recently awarded the $1.4m contract to refurbish the building to Carfax Commercial Constructions. A further $754,000 was awarded to Trane Technologies Australia to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Cr David Lewis said Council embarked on the refurbishment program after the climate control system at the facility, which housed the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery and the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere, failed in early 2020.
“There was a lot of damage from water getting into the building and mould contamination, which meant furniture and fixtures had to be removed and the facility deep cleaned,” he said.
“Council took the opportunity to bring forward a major refurbishment to boost the capacity of the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery to attract and host major touring exhibitions.
“We will have the space to host large, significant exhibitions and an air conditioning and climate control system that is suitable to host these events. Maintaining an even temperature and humidity is very important when artworks are put on display.”
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program was helping create jobs for local businesses and local tradies.
“The region has received almost $65 million for community infrastructure projects through the job-creating Works for Queensland program that is benefitting people in the Fraser Coast region,” Mr Tantari said.
“It’s projects like the Gallery refurbishment that are helping to create jobs and improving livability for local residents, which in turn, is keeping the Hervey Bay economy strong.
“The Palaszczuk Government is putting Fraser Coast at the centre of Queensland’s economic recovery.”
Cr Lewis said the gallery refurbishment would be paid for through a combination of insurance reimbursement and $400,000 from the $9,040,000 awarded to Council from the State Government’s COVID Works For Queensland program and Council.
“We appreciate the patience from residents as this project has unfolded with COVID-19 and the booming construction market causing some delays in obtaining reports, quotes and materials,” he said.
“With the contracts now awarded for the building refurbishment and air conditioning, heat and ventilation upgrade, we look forward to welcoming even bigger and better exhibitions to the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery in 2022.”
The building works will include:
- A new air conditioning and climate control system;
- Airlocks to ensure the efficiency of the climate control system;
- A storage area built to national collections standards;
- Upgraded loading and delivery services and exhibition preparation areas;
- Two gallery spaces to replace the former Discovery Sphere and theatrette, and;
- Installation of services to cater for future growth such as a coffee shop or larger retail area.
Image: Project officer for the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery refurbishment Andrew Fechner shows Hervey Bay State MP Adrian Tantari and Councillor David Lewis through the building works.
