Council
9 June, 2023
No gallery for Cannon Hill
THE much publicised public campaign to save Cannon Hill from construction of a new art gallery has been successful.
At a meeting earlier this week, Warrnambool City Council voted not to pursue the area as a possible site for a new gallery building.
The decision follows the completion of a business case which found the cost of constructing and maintaining a gallery building at Cannon Hill was excessive – up to $73 million - and would result in only a marginal return on investment.
“The value in having completed the business case is that we were in a position to make an evidence-based decision,” mayor Debbie Arnott said.
“We’ve endeavoured to reassure the community along the way that we would make a decision that considered the outcome of the business case.
“In the current funding climate, the likelihood of receiving support from other levels of government, even in the medium to long-term, would have presented a considerable challenge.
“Council was also mindful of the public sentiment surrounding Cannon Hill. The challenge of having an art gallery building that meets industry standards and public expectations remains.”
Cr Arnott said council had chosen to allocate $65,000 to carry out a business case which examines the potential for a new art gallery at the existing site. “As there was with the Cannon Hill business case, there will be parameters built into the study.
“A key one is that the Civic Green open space is retained, that it has an improved street presence and an environmentally sustainable design.
“The business case is an early step in a journey towards a new gallery building and there will be opportunities for the community to have a say along the way to a final decision.”
Cr Arnott added a new gallery building was a long-term goal for the city but an important one.
“Our community has always valued fine arts and our gallery collection is also a strong visitor drawcard,” she said.
“We need to ensure we can care for and present our collection and exhibitions in a suitable gallery building and we’ll keep working towards offering an iconic regional art gallery that is also a visitor destination that delivers exemplary creative, cultural and education experiences.”
