The New South Wales Planning Minister Frank Sartor has approved the project application to give the Australian Museum in Sydney a $41 million makeover, the landmark site’s first major expansion in nearly 20 years.
The centre is the oldest Museum in Australia.
The first stage will include the construction of a new Collections and Research Building to house the Museum’s significant scientific zoology collections and research staff; restoration of the 1892 northern façade of the former National School; a new accessible entrance to the west elevation of the former National School; adaptive re-use of storage and staff rooms; creating an extra 7,050 sqm of collections storage and staff accommodation and updating some of the Museum’s exhibitions, some of which are more than 20 years old.
“This project will cater for the museum’s science collection and storage needs for the future. The redevelopment will help the Museum continue its internationally recognised work,” he said.
Arts Minister Bob Debus welcomed the project approval, adding that the Australian Museum was an integral part of Sydney’s cultural fabric.
“The NSW Government is committed to protecting our cultural heritage and helping institutions such as the Australian Museum survive and prosper,” Debus added.
Museum director Frank Howarth said around 300,000 people visit the site each year and ‘virtual’, or on-line visitors were also booming.
“The Australian Museum inspires the exploration of nature and cultures through its research, exhibitions and programs. We have one of the most remarkable and extensive collections of natural and cultural specimens in the country.
“The collections form the base of our research with scientists describing more than 60 new species and creating 80 peer-reviewed articles across a range of significant journals in the last year,” Howarth said.
“Accessibility to the Museum’s unique collections remains a high priority, with more than 350 loans of Museum specimens and objects to other institutions around the world.
“The Australian Museum carries out important work in indigenous studies and the natural history of this continent,” he added.
The Collections and Research building will be built on the northern side of the museum site, on William St, Sydney.
The north wing of the former National School building will be converted into facilities to be used during public programs.
A new electrical substation will be built and an existing loading dock on William Street redeveloped.
Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005, the Planning Minister is the approval authority for the development.
By Kathryn O’Meara
