7.5. THEME 5: ARTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURE

7.5. THEME 5: ARTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURE

OBJECTIVE 4 Provide unique Murray heritage experiences through improvement and modernisation of existing heritage icons and strengthening heritage interpretation linked to Indigenous, military history, river trade and transport, pioneers and irrigation.

The Murray River is home to many important Indigenous and European history and cultural sites, many of which are intrinsically linked to the river itself.

The Murray was the first major inland transport corridor in the country, and the paddlesteamers and port towns are a significant draw for visitors. The Port of Echuca Revitalisation project is a major initiative and consolidates the city as a history and heritage tourism destination. Pioneer Settlement is another long standing attraction in this segment, and is looking to renew its offer in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Swan Hill riverfront.

The Eastern and Mid Eastern Murray present a different offer, based more on other aspects of the country’s history including immigration (Bonegilla), military history (Bandiana Army Museum), links to Federation (Corowa), aviation history (Lake Boga), and Greater Hume’s museum trail. The development of the cultural precinct at Albury, including the Library Museum and a refurbished and extended art gallery and the entertainment centre will provide a hub for cultural experiences in the region. 7.5.1. GAMECHANGER

PORTS OF THE MURRAY

Description

First conceived in 2010, the Ports of the Murray River (POMR) Strategic Initiative was developed to encourage investment into new tourism product and experiences in the Murray’s key historic ports and riverfronts. The strategy represented a series of projects in the Loddon Mallee region that had the ability to contribute to a change of perception and to reposition the Murray River in the Australian psyche.

The strategy quickly expanded to cover all of the riverside communities within the Murray Region – from Albury Wodonga in the east to Wentworth Mildura in the west. The project’s geographic boundary has recently expanded to include the whole of the Murray River, linking with South Australia to grow the overall visitor experience.

Stakeholders

• MRT • Local government representatives • State government (Vic, NSW, SA) • Federal government

Actions

• Continue to advocate for port and riverside investment in Murray River towns and communities.

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7.5.2. TIER 1 PRIORITY PROJECTS

ECHUCA MOAMA ART BRIDGE

Development of a second river crossing, leveraging the surrounds for the development of an outdoor arts and recreation precinct. The Bridge Arts Project aims to provide a contemporary visual art-based record of the region’s pre and postcolonial cultural development with a focus on the rich traditions of the Yorta Yorta Nation. The overall outdoor visual arts narrative will be complemented by an historical interpretive centre, contemporary gallery, educational/conference centre, walking tracks, sculpture space and a fauna park. An educational/conference centre will be added as a centre for international study groups. The bridge will also have a significant benefit to the town centres of Echuca and Moama, taking heavy vehicles from the centre of town.

SWAN HILL ART, INDIGENOUS AND CULTURAL PRECINCT

The redevelopment of the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery has been investigated in the Murray River Interpretive Centre Feasibility Study 2017. This report highlights the potential opportunity to develop a multi-use facility, incorporating the Swan Hill Regional Information Centre, Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery and the new Interpretive Centre. This could incorporate a new multi-purpose facility within the Swan Hill Riverfront Precinct and activation of Pental Island. Supporting this will be the potential to develop new Indigenous tourism experience throughout the region including corroborees, interpretative walking trails, and public art displays / artefacts. As the Swan Hill region has one of the highest Indigenous population per capita in Australia, this project will enable access to the history of the Aboriginal people and their historic and contemporary art.

This investment would strengthen the draw of Swan Hill to key visitor markets, facilitate larger regional exhibitions, and complement the significant investments in Pioneer Settlement in recent years. The Feasibility study found that the centre would attract an additional 15,000 visitors to the region each year, increasing visitor spend by $1.6 million and support an additional 28 jobs (direct and indirect). PORT OF ECHUCA DEVELOPMENT

Further investment and delivery work is required in the Port of Echuca as per the previous masterplans and concepts plans developed. In particular implementation of the Port of Echuca Strategic Plan including new river boat dock, and improved esplanade area is required to strengthen the precinct and make it more visitor friendly.

BONEGILLA MIGRANT EXPERIENCE

Masterplan execution of Stage 2 upgrades including further restoration works, educational centre, chapel, and rail stop.

7.5.3. ALIGNED PROJECTS

Projects that are aligned to this theme should be supported. These include:

• Investment in heritage assets and improved interpretation. • Investment and expansion of art and performance facilities. • Repurposing heritage buildings and heritage sites for tourism use. • Digital and contemporary interpretation of heritage. • Cultural heritage interpretation.

MURRAY REGION DMP UP DATE MURRAY REGIONAL TOUR ISM