Building company PreBuilt is ready to get to work on the proposed gallery, now that it has attained a construction certificate from Murray River Council.
Committee chair Chris Bilkey said the milestone had been achieved through the hard work of the committee and its members.
“It’s been 14 years of hard slog, setbacks and perseverance by the dedicated Bridge Art Project committee and an enthusiastic group of members,” he said.
“We will create a gallery of regional importance that will act as a cultural focal point for the communities of Echuca, Moama and beyond.”
Through $50,000 raised by the committee and another $50,000 from the NSW Government through the Building Better Regions program, the committee was able to develop a masterplan for the precinct.
More recently, the project secured a $1.66 million grant from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program, adding to more than $5 million raised by the committee and obtained through other grants.
With over $7 million in total funding, the committee will now be able to bring the new gallery and other key features to life.
Alongside the gallery, the building is set include a community centre for local groups and organisations, artistic or otherwise, to use.
The purpose-built space will also feature full audiovisual equipment to make virtual meetings possible.
A café with indoor and outdoor dining and a gift shop with a wide variety of goods for purchase is also in the plans.
With the design now locked in, the committee is looking ahead to how the gallery will operate.
Committee member Kerry-Anne Jones said the committee would continue to work with both Campaspe and Murray River councils to make the gallery a cultural hub.
“We are keen to extend our outreach into the wider community, and to work collaboratively with both Campaspe and Murray River councils as the gallery becomes a reality,” she said.
“Campaspe Shire’s recent RippleFest was a fabulous demonstration of how the arts can build community.
“Our aim is to complement the local art scene, not compete — to develop an important cultural hub and support tourism.”
The committee is keen to hear from artists and other galleries and extends invites those who would like to be part of the journey to attend their open public meetings.
Meetings are held at the Echuca library on the second Thursday of each month at 5pm.
The committee’s 2025 annual meeting will also be held on Thursday, September 11.
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