A change in direction for Burnie’s cultural precinct

Published on 12 April 2021

Burnie City Council will not proceed with its plan to build a new North West Museum and Art Gallery, and will instead combine its art gallery, museum, and function centre in the one existing location. The capital and annual operating costs make it financially unviable for the new building at this time.

Council has approached the Commonwealth Government and obtained agreement to re-purpose its existing $5M committment to the North West Museum and Art Gallery. These funds will now be used to refurbish the Burnie Arts & Function Centre, creating an integrated function and cultural facility incorporating the current art gallery and museum. Key artworks and museum artefacts will be part of the re-furbished building with regular refreshing of displays, exhibitions and events to create a vibrant and dynamic cultural and function space for Burnie. 

Burnie City Council Mayor Steve Kons said “Much has changed since I presented the designs for a new building at Council’s 2019 Annual General Meeting, and Council is no longer in a position to deliver the project in its initial concept. The consolidation of the function, art and museum facilities into the one location will be more financially viable, will achieve operating efficiencies, and will be affordable in the current environment.

“The aim of the original project - the bringing together of our gallery and museum to create a cultural precinct providing a leading visitor experience for the broader community and tourists – remains the focus of Council.”

Burnie City Council will soon begin the process of recruiting a new leader for the cultural and function centre. The Manager Burnie Arts & Function Centre position is currently vacant and the position will be up-graded to attract a manager with significant commercial and arts experience. Once appointed, the new leader will play a key role in planning and developing a business plan to deliver Council’s vision for the new cultural and function centre. Following the appointment of the new manager, Council will also recruit a senior curator to work across the art and museum collections as part of the new centre.