Lotterywest grant for cultural centre upgrade

Augusta Margaret River Shire has received a $185,000 Lotterywest grant to upgrade its cultural centre.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman MLA said today the funding would be used to upgrade outdated equipment at the centre’s theatre, including its fly tower and stage.

He said the Shire would contribute $120,000, the South West Development Commission $40,000 and Arts Margaret River would spend $10,000 on the collaborative project.

Shire chief executive Gary Evershed said the 30-year-old building had not had much money spent on it since its opening in 1983.

“Needless to say over time it has become very tired and some of the equipment is very outdated,” Mr Evershed said.

A recent report commissioned by the Shire found $1.1 million of improvements were required to the internal fit-out of the theatre to bring it up to contemporary occupational health and safety standards.

Shire president Mike Smart said the arts facilities funding would enable “bigger and better events” in the region.