Aboriginal art and hospitality centrepiece of new $129 million Lot Fourteen funding commitment

The old Royal Adelaide Hospital site — Lot Fourteen — is set to undergo a $129 million redevelopment after the Federal Government promised to invest $85 million towards the project. REVEALED: See what is funded under the new scheme.

What the new national Aboriginal Art and Culture Gallery may look like.

• Artists impressions for old RAH innovation hub revealed
• Australian Space Agency will be in Adelaide at old RAH site

Premier Steven Marshall’s vision for Adelaide to be home of Australia’s greatest Aboriginal art gallery is set to become a reality with the Federal Government promising to invest $85 million towards the project.

The deal will be unveiled on Sunday as part of a $129 million plan to boost the cultural economy of Adelaide’s world-renowned arts, food and cultural scene under the Adelaide City Deal.

Cities Minister Alan Tudge told the Sunday Mail the projects will boost the cultural economy of South Australia and drive continued visitor growth.

“More visitors means more jobs,” Mr Tudge said.

“This will be a key theme of the city deal which will soon be officially signed by the Prime Minister and Premier.”

Today’s announcement will include funding for

A NEW Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery at Lot Fourteen - $85 million

AN International Centre for Food, Hospitality and Tourism at Lot Fourteen - $30 million

A NEW visitor centre at Carrick Hill in Adelaide’s foothills - $3 million

C ONSTRUCTION of The Heysens at Hahndorf, a dynamic arts hub to showcase and celebrate the life and work of Hans and Nora Heysen - $9 million.

DEVELOPMENT of smart technology walking trails at garden and national park tourism sites — $2 million.

Artists impressions of an international school of culinary excellence and a new national Aboriginal Art and Culture Gallery at Lot Fourteen.

Inside the Food Studies building.

Mr Marshall said the funding injection from the Morrison Government will ensure the State Government’s vision for Lot Fourteen is closer to being fully realised.

“Our vision, with the support of the Federal Government, will transform Lot Fourteen into a job generating hub for generations to come, and is yet another example of what can happen when government’s work together to deliver,” Mr Marshall said.

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the funding was evidence that the Federal Liberals believed in South Australia by investing so heavily in job creating projects.

“These investments can guarantee Adelaide is a must visit destination for arts, culture and heritage,” he said.

“We have seen how high quality arts investment like MONA (Hobart’s privately owned contemporary art gallery) has supercharged Tasmania’s tourism industry, with 15 per cent growth in international visitors last year, and we believe the same type of growth is possible in South Australia,” Senator Birmingham said.

The funding announcement will place pressure on Federal Labor.

Opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese has vowed to overhaul the city deal concept if Labor is elected at the Federal Election, expected in May.

But he has also vowed to honour any deals inked before Labor is to come into office.

In December Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Lot Fourteen would be the home of Australia’s first space agency.

Last week the Federal and State Governments launched an expressions of interest process to design $100 million hub which will be a base for researchers and entrepreneurs at Lot Fourteen.

Originally published as Aboriginal art and hospitality centrepiece of new $129 million Lot Fourteen funding commitment