Investing in Infrastructure to Grow the State - State Budget 2014-15: New museum for WA a reality

Planning for Western Australia's new museum is on track with works to upgrade the Welshpool Collections and Research Centre to begin this year.

  • $21million this year for new museum

  • Project on time and budget, with doors to open in 2020

  • Construction of new labs at Welshpool starts soon

Planning for Western Australia's new museum is on track with works to upgrade the Welshpool Collections and Research Centre to begin this year.

The centre houses more than 4.5 million artefacts and specimens, including the famous blue whale skeleton that will go on display when the new museum opens its doors in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre in 2020.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day has revealed the designs for the $17.5million Welshpool renovation that will include world-class laboratories, storage and fit-for-purpose preparation spaces. 

The Minister said the new museum, almost four times larger than the current museum, would showcase to the world the importance of Western Australia - our heritage, history and incredible biodiversity.

"The Welshpool improvements are vital to the operation of the new museum and the management of the State's valuable scientific and cultural heritage collections," Mr Day said.

"They will improve the safekeeping of the State's collection, increase the storage capacity for future collecting needs and improve the ability to conduct research."

Treasurer Mike Nahan said the Liberal National Government's $428million investment in a new museum for the people of Western Australia was progressing on time and on budget, with the project now in the delivery phase.

"Museums have a critical role in helping people explore their identity and sense of place, as well as the complex environments in which they live," Dr Nahan said.

         Fact File

  • Over the next 12 months, intensive work will continue behind-the-scenes to prepare for the complex build of the new museum

  • The procurement process for a managing contractor will be advertised in late 2014

  • More information at http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/new-museum  

  • Conceptual designs of the Welshpool Collections and Research Centre attached

Culture and the Arts Minister's office - 6552 6200

Treasurer's office - 6552 5700

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