One of the project’s spearheads, Peter Hill, said the project was on track to start construction in the first half of this year, with the hope it would be completed early next year.
The Museum for Vehicle Evolution project — MOVE — which was expected to cost $6million, was allocated $2.5million in Federal Government funding in March.
Mr Hill said milestones attached to some project funding meant the project would progress quickly.
‘‘It would be our plan to have building commence by the end of May,’’ he said.
The project is to be built on more than 10000sqm of land next to Shepparton Motor Museum.
Discussions have been happening for a number of years around the idea, which aims to produce a new tourism asset and honour the region’s truck and transport history.
Mr Hill said fundraising for the local contribution component of the project — which to date had raised $1.25million — started in August.
‘‘It’s just a really exciting project for the region,’’ he said.
‘‘Transport has had such a rich history here.
‘‘When you think of manufacturers in this region, it’s an opportunity to acknowledge operators who have got the industry to where it is today.’’
In October 2017, Greater Shepparton City Council gave in-principle support to the project.
The support was contingent on demonstration all other funding has been secured and the project had a business case, approved by council, which demonstrated viability, compliance and warranted a financial contribution of up to $1.375million, including GST, from the council.
Council’s economic development manager Anthony Nicolaci said council would consider the MOVE business case at a meeting shortly.
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