​​Huge milestone for Arts Precinct Transformation​

Work to upgrade and expand Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building has reached a major milestone, as part of city-shaping Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.

Enough to fill six Olympic swimming pools, the excavation behind the Theatres Building has resulted in the removal of 15,644m3 of earth to reach the required depth of approximately 14 metres underground.

This will create space for a brand-new flexible rehearsal space and studio, with an adjoining function room, and an expanded loading dock – with two new truck lifts allow for faster and safer bump-in-and-out times for productions.

Hannah Clement
Executive General Manager, Civic Infrastructure

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project is expected to create 11,000 jobs over its lifetime and around 100 apprentices, trainees and cadets have worked across the Arts Centre Melbourne project to date, kick starting their careers in trade.

This week Hannah had the opportunity to meet with some of the people on site working on bringing this project to life, including civil construction trainee Connie Tropea.

Connie shared with Hannah about her experience and said, "Every day on site is a new challenge, and I love that I’m constantly learning and improving. I am grateful for all the opportunities, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything."

said Hannah after hearing how this project opened the doors for Connie.

Under Development Victoria’s management, all contractors on the project must commit to supporting local apprentices, trainees and cadets to upskill our next generation of skilled workers. Development Victoria is ensuring that Victorians starting their career have more opportunities to receive on-the-job training under the Victorian Government’s Local Jobs First policy and Major Projects Skills Guarantee

Works are also progressing for the next section of the deck to be built for the 18,000sqm garden – Laak Boorndap. A key section of the deck for the garden is currently being installed near City Road. Laak Boorndap will be an elevated garden planted on a deck more than eight metres high, and it will connect the creative attractions in the precinct like never before.

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation is delivered by the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), Creative Victoria and Development Victoria, in partnership with National Gallery of Victoria and Arts Centre Melbourne.

For more about the project click here.