By Casey Neill
Yarra Ranges Council has chosen the builder that will spruce up Burrinja.
Councillors agreed to award the $2.6 million contract for works at the Upwey cultural centre to Lloyd Group at their Tuesday 28 May meeting.
“It’s one of our most-used buildings,” Councillor Len Cox said.
“It’s certainly one of our most popular buildings in the municipality and this addition will make it even more usable than it’s been in the past.”
Lloyd Group was among four prequalified suppliers from the Department of Transport Construction Supplier Register invited to tender for the project.
The redevelopment will transform Burrinja’s galleries; artist studios and making spaces; cafe, hospitality and music performance space; and the first floor ‘black box’ multi-purpose space, along with the main entrance to the building.
The project will upgrade areas of the facility that were untouched during the performing arts redevelopment of 2011.
It will transform functionally distinct yet interdependent creative spaces and reconfigure many ad hoc, tired and disconnected areas into flowing, active and more usable spaces.
The Mail reported last week that works were due to start in June, and executive officer of 20 years Ross Farnell will step down at the end of the financial year.
