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Key details

Location 
7-15 Bayton Street, Kyneton

Project partners
Creative Victoria
Working Heritage

Overview

Kyneton Primary School in Baynton Street, Kyneton was closed in March 2018.

Later that year, the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) undertook consultation with the community on what it valued about the site and how it could be redeveloped. The consultation found that the community wanted to site kept for community use, with a gallery space and areas for community groups.

In the 2020-21 Victorian Government Budget, $12 million was allocated to deliver a new gallery space within the 1800s heritage bluestone building on site and a range of safety and accessibility improvements.

Following an Expression of Interest process in 2021, the Victorian Government selected Working Heritage as future site operator.

In collaboration with Working Heritage, Development Victoria and Creative Victoria the transformation of the site into a vibrant gallery and community event space is now underway.

Once this initial phase of works is complete, the site will be open to the public to host events, exhibitions, and community markets, contributing to the local economy by encouraging visitors and investment from outside the local area.

The project will unlock an asset currently not available to the community and its visitors. The site will integrate the local character of Kyneton by retaining existing trees and providing new landscaping.

The new gallery space will be available for a range of uses by the region’s broader creative industries and community groups throughout the year ensuring this much loved asset can supporting the ongoing growth of the region’s creative and cultural industries.

$12m Funding

Strategic site master

Working Heritage has worked with local architects, Winwood Mackenzie and Fieldwork, to develop a strategic site master plan that will guide the long-term vision for the site beyond the initial phase of works being delivered across 2023.

Next steps

Early works started on site in November 2022. These works included various building and services investigations to develop a better understanding of the existing conditions and assist with finalising the design.

Construction works have now begun on site, with the first phase of works focussing on the iconic bluestone heritage building which housed the original school, dating back to the 1800s.

Important work will be undertaken to restore the building, creating internal spaces for a new gallery and exhibition area, and a new food and beverage offering.

A new link building will also be constructed providing a main entry to welcome visitors to the site.

Construction firm McCorkell – specialists in complex cultural heritage sites - has been appointed to carry out the works due for completion in early 2024.

Timeline

July 2022
  • Consultation on strategic site master plan  
August 2022
  • Development Victoria and Creative Victoria will lodge the Planning Report to DELWP.
October 2022

  • Planning approval received 

November 2022

  • Early works begin on site

February 2023

  • Major construction works begin

Early 2024

  • Project complete

Location

 7-15 Bayton Street, Kyneton

Updated on 26 May 2023