The Glenrowan community will see activity at the much-anticipated Glenrowan Heritage Precinct starting next Monday as construction gets underway.
The $5.8 million Rural City of Wangaratta project, partly funded by the state government’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, will see the construction of a new interpretive centre at historic Glenrowan.
“The project includes a contemporary, architecturally designed building with a viewing platform, visitor information and amenities centre,” Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said.
“Digital storytelling will immerse visitors in the events of the Kelly Gang siege in a way that makes you feel like you were there that fateful day.”
Newly acquired funding of $275,000 from the state government’s Outdoor Activation Fund will be used for landscaping improvements and restoration of street furniture and hand railings around the precinct and town.
Initial works at the main site will involve installing safety fencing, delivery of a site office and relocating the public toilets to allow access for the construction of the new interpretative centre to begin.
These construction site preparations will commence on Monday 14 February.
The playground and shelter at the site will remain open to the public, however the barbecue and toilet facilities will be closed for periods with appropriate signage to reduce inconvenience.
Works on the project are expected to be completed in early November 2022.
“The project will deliver an immersive and contemporary tourism product complete with interpretive experiences using cutting-edge technology to bring the town’s infamous bushranger history and characters to life,” Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said.
“These key historic locations will be enhanced using automated visual and audio that bring the story to life for visitors to the centre,” Cr Rees said.