Bowral Memorial Hall

MEDIA RELEASE : 30 October 2020

Wingecarribee Shire Council has secured $2.8 million in Australian Government funding to renovate Bowral Memorial Hall.

Council’s Acting General Manager Barry Paull said the funds had been secured as part of the latest round of the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

“The funds are warmly welcomed and will now allow Council to start initial renovation preparations.”

As part of the grant funding allocation of $2,805,423, monies are to be capped and split over two subsequent financial years.

The funds secured from the Australian Government will be added to the existing $3.7 million Council had already allocated towards the renovations as part of the 2020/21 Operational Plan and Budget.

Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Duncan Gair said on completion the building would once again become a premier performance and entertainment destination.

“By pooling the grant monies with Council’s existing allocation of funds, we’ll revitalise Bowral Memorial Hall to its former glory,” he said.

The redevelopment of the hall will include structural upgrades to the existing building including the installation of a new roof and lifts, upgrading the kitchen and bathroom facilities and providing access for all abilities. Other improvements will include the installation of a new air conditioning system, sound and lighting equipment, upgraded seating and improved building acoustics. Heritage elements including the building façade will also be protected and rejuvenated.

“On completion the rejuvenated hall will be able to accommodate a wide range of cultural events, particularly unamplified musical performances, conferences and community events,” the Mayor said.

“I have no doubt that once the renovations are complete the venue will once again become a major drawcard for local and touring productions.”

Following the Ordinary Council Meeting of 28 October 2020, it was resolved that a short-list of five companies will be invited to submit a tender for the delivery of the refurbishment project.

The announcement of funds for the hall follows further recent multi-million-dollar grants secured by Council for improvement works on Old South Road, Eridge Park Road and preliminary investigations into the Moss Vale Bypass Project.

“I’ve been advocating for the upgrade of Bowral Memorial Hall for a number of years and this latest funding announcement is testimony of the Australian Government’s confidence in our Shire,” the Mayor added. “I applaud the staff of Council for securing these funds.”

“I also thank the Federal Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones MP for his continued backing of our Shire and for recognising the importance of investing in projects that support local businesses during these difficult times.”

The redevelopment of Bowral Memorial Hall is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021.

Check out the detail of architectural drawings in the Document Library.

UPDATE - Unfortunately we were unsuccessful with this grant application.

Council’s application to the Regional Cultural Fund for the redevelopment of Bowral Memorial Hall has been shortlisted. We were advised that our project was chosen from a very competitive field of applications. Council will now develop the additional documentation required for Stage 2 of the application process.

The deadline for Stage 2 submissions is in early April 2018 so we expect to know the final outcome of the application towards the end of April 2018.

In anticipation of being awarded the grant, plans for access to the Hall over the next 2 years are being put in place to ensure current and potential hirers are aware of the project. The Bowral Memorial Hall will continue to be available for bookings up until 31 January 2019. It is intended that the Hall would then be closed for the works to be carried out from 1 February 2019 – 31 January 2020.

Council will continue to keep the community updated on further progress as news come to hand.

A development application (DA) has been submitted by Wingecarribee Shire Council for the redevelopment of Bowral Memorial Hall. A closing date for submissions will be notified soon once submissions are invited as part of the formal DA exhibition process.

The DA materials can be viewed in Council’s DA Tracker at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au and at the Moss Vale Civic Centre. Look for DA No. 17/1174

Submissions may be addressed to the General Manager, Wingecarribee Shire Council, PO Box 141, Moss Vale 2577. A disclosure statement of Political Donations and Gifts must accompany the submission.

Learn more

Displays and fact sheets have been prepared to provide additional information about the project. These and the DA documents can be viewed in the online document library and the Civic Centre in Moss Vale as well as Bowral and Mittagong libraries.

Council staff will be on hand to answer questions and distribute information at a kiosk which will be held in the foyer of the Bowral Memorial Hall. Pop in and learn more at the following times:

• 4pm to 6pm - Tuesday 26 September 2017
• 10am to 12noon - Thursday 28 September 2017
• 10am to 12noon - Saturday 7 October 2017

Submissions about the development application will be sought until 15 November 2017.

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MEDIA RELEASE issued 28 September 2017

BOWRAL MEMORIAL HALL PLANS ON EXHIBITION

Detailed plans to transform Bowral Memorial Hall into a modern concert hall for music are now on public exhibition.

The plans detail the scope of the proposed $3.4 million project including internal re-development and structural upgrades to the existing hall.

Council’s Cultural Development Officer Jenny Kena gave a brief overview of the project.

“Bowral Memorial Hall and the adjacent School of Arts building have long been cherished venues for concert goers and performers,” she said.

“But after years of faithful service it really is in need of a make-over to bring it up to modern standards.”

Following Council’s decision in 2015 that the primary purpose of the facility should be as a concert hall for music, major elements of the re-development will include a fit-out of modern sound, acoustic and lighting equipment. Provision of more flexible seating arrangements and increased storage and exhibition space will also be incorporated in the re-development. Other improvements will include the installation of environmentally-friendly lighting and insulation and the addition of a ticketing office and modern kitchen facilities.

“Importantly, the upgrades will also improve the existing fire safety provisions and access for people with disability,” Jenny said.

Plans and fact sheets of the proposed re-development can be found online from Council’s dedicated community engagement website www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au or at the Bowral and Mittagong Libraries and Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre.

A temporary Information Kiosk will also operate on site in the foyer of the hall providing visitors with an opportunity to speak to staff of Council. These dates will be:

• Tuesday 26 September from 4pm to 6pm
• Thursday 28 September from 10am to 12 noon, and
• Saturday 7 October from 10am to 12 noon.

A Development Application (DA) has been submitted and a closing date for submissions will be advertised shortly. The project is slated to be undertaken during the 2019/20 financial year.

“We encourage any interested persons to log on or pop-in and view the plans for themselves,” Ms Kena added.

“We believe these improvements will breathe new life into this historic building and provide our Shire’s guests and artists with a premier music venue for many years to come.”

For more information contact Council’s Cultural Development Officer on phone 4868 0855.

Link to DA tracker http://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/da-tracker