Benalla Cinema to move to Costume and Kelly Museum

The plan to move the cinema has been made in response to community feedback, which highlighted a more central location would increase its use.

The project, which includes the new splash park, car parking and an extension and upgrade of the existing boardwalk, will be funded by the state and Benalla Rural City.

The project will capitalise on the aesthetic and convenience of this prime Benalla location, will cost $1.524 million and is scheduled to be complete by December next year.

It has received $500 000 from the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund, with the balance being funded by the council.

On Monday Regional Development Minister and State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced a further $2 million in funding towards the precinct.

“It’s wonderful to deliver a further $2 million for Benalla and continue the record investment in community infrastructure projects,” Ms Symes said.

“From school upgrades, to the Morrie Evans refurbishment, to the new splash park – these are investments that locals deserve, and importantly create jobs.“The Broken river is an amazing natural asset right in the centre of town and this investment will further activate and enable residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful town even more.”

The Costume and Kelly Museum, which has operated out of the Visitor Information Centre building for many years, will benefit from improved storage and gallery space.

A café will be constructed to provide a night-time dining option overlooking the lake.

A key part of Benalla’s tourism operations, being visitor servicing, will remain as a central function from the redeveloped facility, improving the visitor experience and providing greater opportunity to showcase the many visitor destinations and assets of the region.

Mayor Danny Claridge said it was a forward-looking progressive project that would bring significant and long-lasting benefits to Benalla.

“This project will benefit both visitors and Benalla residents through an improved and centralised Benalla Cinema, the café offering and the overall precinct improvement,’ Cr Claridge said.

“As well as visitors, many local people use the Visitor Information Centre for information about things to do and what to see locally.

“Their experience, and that of our very important visitor community will be enhanced, driving economic benefit.”

Ms Symes said the Victorian Government had backed a series of community projects across the state that created jobs and made regional centres even better places to live and work.

This project is one of 35 in rural and regional communities that will share in more than $16 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to improve liveability and attract more residents and visitors to towns.

Ms Symes said the precinct would improve display space for the nationally significant Ned Kelly sash and cell, increase visitor engagement and the Benalla Cinema experience, which would in turn improve economic outcomes and service sustainability.

“Regional Victoria (is) critical to supporting the state’s recovery from the impacts of coronavirus,” Ms Symes said.

“We’re backing projects in our regions that will drive jobs and community growth.

“While we can’t fully enjoy our halls and parks and other community facilities right now, it’s important that we continue investing in them and create jobs.”

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is part of the government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which helps businesses create more jobs in regional Victoria, supports community projects and helps councils to build the infrastructure locals need.

It is key to the state's record $2.6 billion Delivering for Regional and Rural Victoria Program unveiled in the Victorian Budget 2019-20 to deliver quality education, health, transport and record jobs.

● Information and guidelines for the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund can be found by visiting rdv.vic.gov.au