The official commencement of construction of the Currie Lighthouse precinct’s new Hub multipurpose complex was marked by the turning of the sod by Senator Anne Urquhart and Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
They joined Mayor Marcus Blackie and project lead Brett Torossi in speaking to a small number of stakeholder guests in the Hub’s annex.after the site was declared shovel-ready.
This area is in the former general manager’s house in Lighthouse St and is incorporated into the overall Hub design.
The new Hub building will be constructed alongside the existing track between the museum and the lighthouse.
The King Island Hub project is a $5M construction project funded by the Community Development Grants Program.
The design and construction of the Hub includes a visitor information and community lounge with free WiFi, co-working space, small meeting/training rooms, a business services area, an online access centre, a gallery shop, multi-purpose space for meetings and events, with public toilet and shower facilities on site. Additional space will also be available to include the Currie Library, subject to agreement with Libraries Tas.
It is proposed that the King Island Regional Development Organisation and the King Island Gallery relocate to the new building and a King Island Study Hub is under discussion.
The grant also provides for an emergency evacuation, distribution and recovery centre for the Island at the Town Hall by installing shower facilities and reconfiguring the entrance to the building.
“On behalf of all King Islanders, I express our deep gratitude to the federal and state governments – as well as, and not forgetting, Australian taxpayers – for this game changing grant investment in King Island,” Mayor Blackie said.
“The Hub project speaks volumes about our aspirations and the bold ambitions we hold for our future here on King Island, Tasmania. We are inspiring the investment and development to make it happen.
“I see The Hub as potentially so many things we need, a conference venue, convention centre, training and function venue, community information centre that will be used by locals and tourists alike.
“It is exciting that we see such versatility in this new facility and other uses we’ll discover down the track.
“I acknowledge the years of work done by our council team, the project control group, designers and unprecedented community consultation to get us here today.”