Successfully receiving a grant worth $4.95 million from the NSW Regional Tourism Activation fund, round two, BAP will be able to proceed with the detailed design work and subsequent building to create a new tourism destination for Echuca-Moama.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Tourism Activation Fund is helping establish unique tourism experiences that attract visitors and showcase the outstanding assets our regions have to offer.
“Projects backed through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund will give domestic and international visitors more great reasons to holiday away from the city and spend more time in Echuca-Moama,” Mr Toole said.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience our regional communities, with funding to support projects just like the Bridge Art Project which will see people travel from far and wide.”
BAP chair Allison O’Brien is “totally excited and validated for all the communities hard work and commitment to the vision of an arts precinct.”
“We now enter the very exciting phase of getting the gallery built,” Mrs O’Brien said.
“It represents the first and most important stage in a monumental plan that will see the addition of an elevated walkway from the gallery through 17 hectares of bushland to the Murray River, at a point adjacent to the landing of the new bridge and visible across the river from Echuca.
“We have the job of refining a design that will do justice to the site and the vision.
“We will have to source some additional funds to supplement the grant money we have just received.
“This grant is a landmark event in our journey towards achieving that vision.”
BAP founding chair and originator of the project Barry Donchi has reflected on the journey so far saying that BAP started as “an idea to create a precinct that sought to depict, through contemporary art, the history of humankind’s presence in Australia.”
“It will, of course, have a significant focus on First Nations’ art and culture,” Mr Donchi said.
“We know that’s a big vision, but we love a challenge.”
Many parts of the community have been involved with BAP, with BAP secretary Lynne Gillard paying tribute to the persistence and generosity of a group of committee members who contributed to the purchase of the Meninya St property on which the gallery will be built
Mrs Gillard acknowledged the support of the Moama Bowling Club which she said “have never given up on the vision and ability of the Bridge Art Project to deliver the arts precinct” and the ongoing support the group has received from the Murray River Council.
NSW Tourism Minister Ben Franklin will be joining the BAP Steering Committee on Friday, February 3 to officially launch the gallery project in Moama.
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