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State Opposition backs Geelong Guggenheim bid

News Release - Wednesday 31 May 2000

The State Opposition has thrown its support behind proposals to seek a Guggenheim museum for Geelong, and has called on the State Government to give a commitment to the Guggenheim Foundation that it is willing to provide the $1.5 million needed to fund a detailed feasibility study into the project.

Shadow Minister for Major Projects, Robert Clark, told State Parliament today that a Guggenheim museum would make Geelong a centre of international standing in arts and culture, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and bringing millions of dollars to the local economy.

"Securing a Guggenheim museum would cement the dramatic revitalisation of Geelong which has taken place over recent years, including projects such as Steampacket Place, the International Fibre Centre and the Woolstore campus of Deakin University," Mr Clark said.

"A Guggenheim museum would be a project with a value estimated at up to $300 million.

Mr Clark said that a new Guggenheim museum in Geelong would become only the sixth Guggenheim museum in the world, alongside two in New York and museums in Berlin, Venice and Bilbao. A Guggenheim museum in Geelong would be the first in the southern hemisphere.

Speaking outside Parliament, Mr Clark said that while the Government had given some in-principle indications of support for the project, it needed to get fully behind the bid for the project.

"This is a project of significance not only for Geelong, but for the whole of Victoria.

"Victoria cannot let time pass while funding commitments for the feasibility study are sought and secured.

"The Bracks Government needs to show leadership. It should get publicly and vigorously behind the project and the Geelong community and give an unequivocal commitment to the Guggenheim Foundation that it is willing to provide the $1.5 million needed for a detailed feasibility study.

"This will give Geelong the best possible chance of securing this bold and exciting project."