A priority project for the Wingecarribee community, the return of Mittagong Playhouse was put to Federal Member for Whitlam, The Hon Stephen Jones MP, at a visit to the site last week with Council Administrator Mr Viv May and General Manager Lisa Miscamble, with a view to making it a funding priority. Council has committed a $4m investment toward delivering this exciting new cultural hub for our Shire, in its future budgets.
Our Project Delivery Manager, Ned Tripkovic, explained the extensive structural remediations required to restore the heritage building, and the vision for re-opening its doors as a high-quality contemporary performance hub and home to Berrima District Historical Society.
"It was great to be accompanied by Council staff on a tour of the Mittagong Playhouse. I know this site has cultural and heritage significance in the Southern Highlands. It's an important space for our community, including members of the Berrima District Historical Society." Mr Jones said.
"Wingecarribee Shire Council informed me it has applied for Federal Government funding for this
project. After viewing Council's draft plans and taking another look around the premises, I have now written a letter to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King."
The discussion included plans to relocate the resident Berrima District Historical Society upstairs to enable the addition of a much-needed foyer and ticketing facilities.
The Administrator emphasised Council's commitment to securing the substantial funding needed to re-establish the iconic heritage building as a high-quality performing arts hub for the Southern Highlands.
"The structure is in need of significant structural restoration to make it safe for community members and meet compliance standards, even before refurbishments are undertaken to deliver
a high-quality contemporary theatre experience with increased seating capacity," Mr May said.
"The estimated total project cost is $8million and Council is pro-actively pursuing the funding needed to deliver all of this for our community and Tuesday's discussion was an important step toward securing the support of the Federal Government."
Once re-opened, the re-imagined Mittagong Playhouse continue to be home to the Berrima District Historical and Family History Society and provide local and touring theatre groups with vastly improved performance facilities.
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