The $113,965 in State Government funding will support the completion of a master plan, business case and schematic design for the upgrade of the Port Macquarie Museum to improve access to and care of its significant collections.

The project will engage professional and experienced consultants to develop a sustainable upgrade solution for the Museum which delivers a well-designed regional museum building and cultural centre which is fit for purpose and of enduring cultural value to the people of Port Macquarie and the region.

Port Macquarie Historical Society President, Clive Smith said the funding is an exciting day for the history books.

“Our Museum building extensions are tired and no longer meet the expectations of our visitors or the needs of our collections,” Mr Smith said.

“Receiving this funding is a major step towards the upgrade of our award winning museum and our vision of a brighter, bolder, bigger and even better museum for the benefit of our whole community.

“The building has no air conditioning or a lift and it is increasingly hard to accommodate visitors and volunteers with mobility issues as well restricting the items we can display due to space issues.”

Museum curator Debbie Sommers said once complete, the new building would be a lot more accessible for both visitors and volunteers and ensure that the museum’s collection is better stored and displayed.

“Creating this master plan is essential to the ongoing vision of the museum,” Ms Sommers said.

“Currently we are only able to display around 10 percent of our collection but if we had more room that would be able to increase.

“Also how we store the items would be able to be improved if we had new facilities and this master plan is all about working with museum consultants and experts to find best practice ways and to design a building that reflects both that and celebrates our local history.”

Port Macquarie MP Leslie WIlliams said this is a great day for Port Macquarie.

“The Port Macquarie Museum holds an incredible collection of historical memorabilia and we want to help them showcase our local history better,” Mrs Williams said.

“I am very excited to be able to announce this funding so they can develop a master plan. It is important they get the it right and that is why this money is so crucial.

“These kinds of projects also offer new experiences for both local and overseas visitors, leading to more tourism dollars and jobs for our local area.

“I look forward to seeing the museum’s future vision develop.”

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