Powerhouse precinct works kickstart Stage 2 riverfront redevelopment

Published on 04 November 2020

Mildura Rural City Council is about to embark on a $6 million project to transform the iconic Powerhouse building and surrounding area along the riverfront precinct.

Marking the start of the second stage of the hugely successful riverfront redevelopment, the historic Powerhouse building, adjacent car park and immediate surrounding area will be transformed into a vibrant cultural, community and commercial hub.

The Powerhouse precinct redevelopment will include structural repairs to the existing Powerhouse building, development of a multi-use public space area featuring lawn, decking, shaded areas and connections to existing riverfront sites. It will also include additional car parking and a host of public amenities to service the precinct.

It takes in the Powerhouse building, adjacent car park, nearby cafe, toilet block buildings and the Jacyee Park car park.

The project is jointly-funded through the Victorian Government's Crisis Committee of Cabinet Infrastructure Stimulus Fund ($5 million), Council ($500,000) and the Victorian Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund ($500,000).

Council's General Manager Community Martin Hawson said given the popularity and importance of the riverfront precinct, Council was keen to hear the community's ideas and vision for this next stage of the redevelopment before the main works start next year.

"We know how much our new-look riverfront precinct means to our community, which is evidenced by the large number of people we see enjoying this precinct year-round," Mr Hawson said.

"It's also a major attraction for visitors to our region, particularly during Easter and the Christmas holiday period, making it a vital driver for our region's economy.

"Since completion of the first stage of the riverfront redevelopment there have been more than three million visitors to the precinct, and those numbers continue to increase."

Residents can help shape this next stage of the riverfront redevelopment by taking a quick survey.

The survey is open until Friday 13 November and accessible from Council's website at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay. Residents can also call (03) 5018 8100 to obtain a hard copy or complete the survey over the phone.

It will ask people for their thoughts and ideas on the riverfront generally, as well as whether they agree with a range of ideas being considered for the site. They include: 

Feedback from the survey will be used by the project team to develop concept designs for the site, which will be released for community feedback in December.

Preliminary works are expected to start in November and continue through until May next year. The main body of work is expected to start in the middle of 2021.

ENDS