QUEENSLAND UNLOCKS NATION’S NEWEST ARTS & CULTURAL PRECINCT
Published Wednesday, 25 October, 2006 at 09:03 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Women
The Honourable Rod Welford
Premier Peter Beattie will accept the keys to the nation’s newest and most exciting arts and cultural precinct today, marking the end of major construction of the $291.3 million site at the Queensland Cultural Centre.
Mr Beattie said the key handover will formalise the transfer of the site from building contractor Bovis Lend Lease to the people of Queensland.
“Today is a significant day for Queenslanders, who will now be the envy of the nation with Australia’s largest gallery of modern art and a contemporary State Library of Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“Major construction work is complete on the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), the redeveloped State Library which has doubled in size, and new outdoor and green spaces.
“Over the next few weeks the buildings will be fitted out internally, including the shelving of books and installation of new technology in the State Library, and hanging paintings for the gallery.
“Staff – accompanied by books, artworks and furniture – will move into these amazing new facilities that cement Queensland’s position as a leader in arts and cultural development within Australia.
“I have no doubt GoMA and the new State Library will become Smart State icons of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie, joined by Arts Minister Rod Welford and Public Works and Housing Minister Robert Schwarten, will host a group of Queensland artists and writers on a preview tour of the new facilities today.
Mr Welford said the Millennium Arts Project - the state’s largest arts and cultural infrastructure project in more than 30 years - reflected the Government’s commitment to the state’s creative industries.
“Last year, Queensland’s creative industries generated $3.2 billion for the state’s economy,” Mr Welford said.
“This exciting new precinct will further enhance Brisbane’s dynamic arts and cultural life, and attract national and international visitors and world-class exhibitions.
“It will also be a wonderful place for families to spend time, with special children’s centres at both GoMA and the State Library.”
Mr Schwarten will pay tribute to everyone involved with the design and construction of the new facilities.
“Those involved in the project can be very proud of what has been achieved,” Mr Schwarten said.
“During the busiest construction period in August this year, more than 900 workers were on site, and over the life of the project 11,700 different workers have been employed on the project.”
During construction, more than 4475 tonnes of steel, 27,000 cubic metres of concrete and 14,500 square metres of glass were used.
Queenslanders will be able to get their first look inside the new buildings when the State Library opens on 25 November and GoMA opens on 2 December.
All Queenslanders are invited to a People’s Day at the Cultural Centre at South Bank on Saturday 2 December that will officially open GoMA and the new-look State Library of Queensland. The day will include entertainment and tours of the buildings and exhibitions.
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 8749 or 0448 757 086
Minister Welford’s office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s office – 32371832
Wednesday, 25 October 2006
Mr Beattie said the key handover will formalise the transfer of the site from building contractor Bovis Lend Lease to the people of Queensland.
“Today is a significant day for Queenslanders, who will now be the envy of the nation with Australia’s largest gallery of modern art and a contemporary State Library of Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“Major construction work is complete on the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), the redeveloped State Library which has doubled in size, and new outdoor and green spaces.
“Over the next few weeks the buildings will be fitted out internally, including the shelving of books and installation of new technology in the State Library, and hanging paintings for the gallery.
“Staff – accompanied by books, artworks and furniture – will move into these amazing new facilities that cement Queensland’s position as a leader in arts and cultural development within Australia.
“I have no doubt GoMA and the new State Library will become Smart State icons of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie, joined by Arts Minister Rod Welford and Public Works and Housing Minister Robert Schwarten, will host a group of Queensland artists and writers on a preview tour of the new facilities today.
Mr Welford said the Millennium Arts Project - the state’s largest arts and cultural infrastructure project in more than 30 years - reflected the Government’s commitment to the state’s creative industries.
“Last year, Queensland’s creative industries generated $3.2 billion for the state’s economy,” Mr Welford said.
“This exciting new precinct will further enhance Brisbane’s dynamic arts and cultural life, and attract national and international visitors and world-class exhibitions.
“It will also be a wonderful place for families to spend time, with special children’s centres at both GoMA and the State Library.”
Mr Schwarten will pay tribute to everyone involved with the design and construction of the new facilities.
“Those involved in the project can be very proud of what has been achieved,” Mr Schwarten said.
“During the busiest construction period in August this year, more than 900 workers were on site, and over the life of the project 11,700 different workers have been employed on the project.”
During construction, more than 4475 tonnes of steel, 27,000 cubic metres of concrete and 14,500 square metres of glass were used.
Queenslanders will be able to get their first look inside the new buildings when the State Library opens on 25 November and GoMA opens on 2 December.
All Queenslanders are invited to a People’s Day at the Cultural Centre at South Bank on Saturday 2 December that will officially open GoMA and the new-look State Library of Queensland. The day will include entertainment and tours of the buildings and exhibitions.
Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 8749 or 0448 757 086
Minister Welford’s office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s office – 32371832
Wednesday, 25 October 2006