A SAM Foundation was established to raise money for a new, expanded SAM, and for the growth of the art collection.
In response to a generous offer from Carrillo Gantner to donate $2m of Aboriginal art to the Shepparton Art Museum (should it be upgraded to accommodate it), Council committed funds towards a feasibility study for a new art museum.
The Victorian Government announced additional funding for the feasibility study.
The Copulos Family pledged to donate $1.5m over 10 years to the new SAM.
Simon McArthur and Associates were chosen from a number of applicants to undertake the feasibility study.
Simon McArthur and Associates began consulting with stakeholders.
Simon McArthur and Associates completed consultation with 300 interested stakeholders, plus 300 people who had visited and stayed in regional Victoria and visited an art museum in the last 12 months.
Simon McArthur and Associates completed the feasibility study / business case, which formed the basis of a report to Council.
Council made the business case available for public comment, held a public information session, and conducted a poll both online and in hard copy at 26 locations around Greater Shepparton to gauge support for the business case.
At the Council meeting on 19 May 2015, councillors approved the following recommendation 6 votes to 1:
In a two stage process to develop a design for the new museum, expressions of interest (EOI) were sought from suitably qualified and experienced architects. The EOI period opened on 29 July 2016 and closed on 31 August 2016. The EOIs were evaluated by an expert jury and shortlisted.
In stage two, the shortlisted architects were invited to develop concept designs for the new SAM on a site at Victoria Park Lake with a design competition endorsed by the Victorian Office Architects and the Australian Institute of Architects.
In April 2017 Denton Corker Marshall were announced the successful winners of the design competition.
At a Council meeting on 20 February 2018 an amended budget was endorsed by Council with a decision to use capital works funds rather than take out a loan for the building with a new estimate of $39.9m. This is an increase of $5.35m. Council’s contribution increase to $5.35m in upfront capital would be partially offset by an estimated $4.23m savings in loan interest expense.
The updated funding allocation was:
Two cost reviews during the detailed design phase revealed that to build to the current budget would result in the new SAM building having limited functionality and requiring further future investment to be operational. The project is consistent with the 2014 business case, competition guidelines and awarded design; there have been no changes to the business case concepts for the project.
At a Special Council Meeting on 26 February 2019 Council endorsed Contract 1865 Principal Building Contractor Panel Recommendation and New SAM Budget Update.
During evaluation it was identified the tender bids were above the adopted build budget of $38.5M (including GST) and ranged from $47.3M to $51.7M (including GST).
With the bids being greater than the pre tendered budgeted amount, Council negotiated with the Federal and State Governments and the SAM Foundation to request an increase in Grant Agreements with Council. Negotiations with the Federal Government and SAM Foundation were successful allowing Stage 1. Stage 2 (landscaping and specialist equipment) will require an additional $2.5m (excluding GST), and Council will continue to negotiate with funding bodies to offset this capital requirement.
The endorsed recommendation was carried 7 to 1:
The updated funding allocation is: