Mr McCormack visited the site and received an update on the project for which the Federal government has provided funding of $10m.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Kim O’Keeffe welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister to Shepparton along with Senator Bridget McKenzie, Federal Member for Murray Damian Drum and Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell.
“This is a very exciting project for our region and a very important one that will well and truly put Shepparton on the map,” said Cr O’Keeffe.
“The new SAM will position Greater Shepparton as a progressive region in the arts world and as a tourism destination. The world class architecture of this building will attract people from all parts of Australia and internationally to visit the museum for its exhibitions and to see the building itself. It will be sensational to watch a structure of this calibre by such well known architects as Denton Corker Marshall being built on the shores of our beautiful lake,” she said.
“Developments such as the new SAM, also instill confidence within the community that Shepparton is growing and prepared for the future and it will help attract new investment to the area.”
Cr O’Keeffe said “most importantly it will provide a destination for locals to catch up with friends and relatives for a coffee or a meal. It will provide a spectacular meeting place for everyone to enjoy and be proud of.”
“Of course projects of this magnitude need financial assistance to be realised. We are grateful to our funding providers for their support of the new SAM including the Federal and State governments and the SAM Foundation.”
Demolition works are continuing on the site with construction expected to commence late this year.
