Visitor information centre, museum, cinema and café development under way

Jul 29, 2022

Day one: Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn turned the first sod for the redevelopment of the Visitor Information Centre and Costume and Kelly Museum on Wednesday, July 27. Photo by Contributed

Benalla Rural City Council’s redevelopment of the Mair St Visitor Information Centre and museum has officially begun, with a sod-turning ceremony held on Wednesday, July 27.

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Mayor Bernie Hearn said the primary use of the redeveloped building would be for the Visitor Information Centre to have a permanent home shared with the Costume and Kelly Museum.

“The redevelopment also brings a number of facilities to the CBD side of Lake Benalla that the community has been asking for,” Cr Hearn said.

“This includes public toilets for users of the splash park while adding a number of secondary uses to the building including a cinema, café and exhibition space.

“Once completed we will have a revitalised community space on the foreshore of our beautiful lake for both locals and visitors to enjoy.”

An important component of the extension is the redevelopment of the existing museum.

In consultation with the Benalla Historical Society, council has developed the concept to ensure the new space will meet its needs in the short, medium and longer term.

It is expected that the $3 million redevelopment will take nine months, with the Visitor Information Centre relocating from its temporary home at the Commercial Hotel in Bridge St when complete.