Riverina Conservatorium of Music: development application for new home set to boost cultural precinct
The region’s premier music conservatorium is a step closer towards a new permanent home after an application was lodged for a multimillion-dollar transformation.
The Wagga News
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Wagga’s cultural precinct is set for a major expansion after a development application was lodged to convert a former government building into the new home for the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
The NSW Government recently lodged the application with Wagga City Council for a stage one $10 million transformation of the former Roads and Maritime Services site at 1 Simmons Street.
As one of the largest regional conservatorium in NSW, the conservatorium’s redevelopment project aims to ensure its 1200 students across the Riverina have the same opportunities as their city counterparts to quality music education.
Plans lodged state that the first stage would involve the redevelopment of the main building as a teaching, rehearsal and administrative facility.
The works will include clearing the site, redesigning the airconditioning in the building, adding solar panels and installing wheelchair access.
Once completed, the building will form part of Wagga’s cultural precinct, which includes the Civic Centre, Art Gallery, Riverina Playhouse and Wollundry Amphitheatre.
Dr Andrew Wallace, conservatorium chair, said he and the team were excited about the progress because the “site is a beautiful location”.
“We’re delighted to soon be getting a building that’s purposely built — it’s a gift to the city,” he said.
“For some years, we’ve been working with the council on adding to Wagga’s cultural precinct.
“It’s to raise the profile of the conservatorium and make people realise that when musical events are on, they know it’s a special place.”
He said that while it is based in Wagga, the new building is “a vision for the whole region”.
The conservatorium, which operates an annual budget of more than $1.6 million, is set to vacate their current premises at the Charles Sturt University South Campus.
“Where we are now, our main auditorium is not big enough,” Dr Wallace said.
“On big occasions, crowds are seated in two rooms with a door separating them — the door opens for the music to flow through.
“So the main performing space (of the new site) would be 250 to 300 seats, which is more than adequate.”
Dr Wallace said the new home would also meet Wagga’s projected population growth to 100,000 by 2038.
“In attracting people to Wagga, the conservatorium is really important. From a planning point of view, about 10 things need to be in place and the conservatorium is one of them,” he said.
“Our profile will lift because at the moment we’re buried.”
Nationals’ MLC, Wes Fang, said the government was excited to create a new fit-for- purpose teaching and learning hub for the conservatorium.
Similarly, Minister for Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the facility would serve the conservatorium’s important role in developing and supporting musicians in the Riverina.
Subject to planning approval, construction works should begin around mid-2020 and scheduled for completion by the first half of 2021.
Planning documents state that the second stage would include a recital hall, restaurant, early childhood music centre and large spaces for conventions.
A detailed business case for stage two will be prepared for government funding approval as part of the next phase of the project.