Coo-ee Heritage Centre Upgrades

Project typeUpgrades
Project scheduleCompleted
Contractor nameDubbo Terrazzo and Concrete Industries

Coo-ee Heritage Centre

In an exciting milestone for the Gilgandra Cultural Precinct, the doors of the Coo-ee Heritage Centre (CHC) re-opened on 26 September 2022. The Visitor Information, Coo-ee March Gallery and Art Gallery opened initially with further galleries, landscaping and the local Aboriginal experience of The Meeting Place following.

The Project:

In 2019, Council was successful in a NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund (RCF) grant for the Gilgandra Cultural Precinct (GCP). This included upgrades to the CHC, Joy Trudgett Gallery, as well as the Windmill Walk, linking the CBD, Rural Museum and CHC.

In line with Council’s strategic planning documents, the Coo-ee Heritage Centre is committed to offer a well-represented and functional visitor centre and cultural experience to residents and visitors.

This grant followed extensive Council and community consultation and the development of Council’s Gilgandra Cultural Precinct Strategic Plan which focuses on 3 key themes within Gilgandra:

Military heritage, including the Coo-ee March
Landscape, including the natural environment and farming
Aboriginal heritage

The main outcomes and priorities focus on:

Generating local community ownership and pride
Being a visitor destination
Support and encouragement for local and regional cultural and artistic expression
Understanding, knowledge and respect for local history, heritage and environment
The economic benefit to Gilgandra Shire

Community consultation saw 96% of respondents agree with the future direction of the CHC. There were regular community sessions and opportunities to Have Your Say as Council progressed through the various stages of the project.