The Mount Gambier City Council is inviting expressions of interest for community activation of the Lady Nelson site with a view to house local creative industries and/or historic collections.
The Jubilee Highway East site currently houses the Mount Gambier Visitor Centre, and council believes it has the capacity to complement and add value to other activities, organisations and services across the city.
Council’s People, Place and Liveability general manager Chris White said changes to council’s visitor servicing model will see the hub of tourism services vacating the site to relocate to the Main Corner in the CBD, creating a “unique opportunity for the Lady Nelson to realise a new community outcome”.
Mr White said the activation proposition has arisen following ongoing discussions with the creative community which revealed a need for a fit for purpose gallery/maker’s space in Mount Gambier that provides a place where artists can create and connect with each other and the broader community.
“Council is committed to supporting the development and growth of the creative industries, as well as celebrating the unique culture and heritage of the region,” he said.
“Discussions as part of the Mount Gambier – 2035 Community Vision indicated that artists in Mount Gambier would like to work collaboratively in a shared space.
“We also know there are groups in the community who aspire to a place for the preservation and presentation of historic collections. We welcome expressions of interest from these groups, or even joint proposals from multiple groups who may see this as an opportunity to realise a shared vision for community use of the space.
“In recognising this aspiration and community need, and in line with council’s Strategic Plan, expressions of interests are now invited for ongoing activation of the Lady Nelson site once the visitor servicing hub has relocated to the CBD.”
Mr White said the request for expressions of interest will be an initial market-sounding process and was being conducted for the purpose of considering the breadth of potential activation from within the creative industries sector and/or historic collections management, while also allowing council to prioritise systems required to consider and facilitate commercial activity in and around this site in the future.
Closing on March 31, stage one of the EOI process invites the submission of concepts for the use and activation of the site.
“In order to proceed to the second stage, proposals must demonstrate engagement with a broad spectrum of the community that focuses on inclusivity, sustainability and growth in the creative sector that serves residents and engages visitors of Mount Gambier,” Mr White said.
More information about how to submit an EOI and applicant requirements can be found by visiting www.mountgambier.sa.au/investment/eoi-ladynelson.
