The Tweed River Regional Museum is about to get a $2.6 million facelift and upgrade thanks to the Tweed Shire Council.
The Museum, based in Murwillumbah but servicing the entire valley, closed to the public on December 16 and will not reopen until 2013, to allow staff and volunteers time to sort and pack the collection, and for work to begin on the extension construction.
Council’s Senior Museum Curator, Judy Kean, said volunteers and staff will be extremely busy during the next 12 months, completing the painstaking task of assessing and preparing the collection for the move.
“Construction of the storage facility is expected to begin in early 2012 and is scheduled for completion in the second half of the year,” Ms Kean said.
The Queensland Road facility is entering an exciting period of development, with a new building design adopted by Council in November and preparations underway to construct separate dedicated storage for the collections.
Project architect Paul Berkemeier developed the concept in consultation with Murwillumbah Historical Society members, Council staff and Tweed Shire Councillors.
“The innovative design maximises the potential of the Murwillumbah site and provides a facelift for the existing heritage building, meeting the highest heritage principles and museum standards,” Ms Kean said.
“It will provide substantial new collection display space, a significantly increased capacity to cater for visitors and school groups, and maintains a research centre for the Murwillumbah Historical Society.
“Council is also constructing a purpose-built storage facility in South Murwillumbah. This facility will house the museum’s collection while the Queensland Road building is being extended.
“In the long-term, it will provide ongoing storage for items in the museum collection, to better protect these pieces and allow greater flexibility with displays at the museum,” she said.
The collection at the Museum showcases the history of the Tweed Valley through memorabilia, photographs, newspapers and domestic farm equipment, geological specimens, civilian and military radio equipment, items of World War I and II and a Robey steam engine.
A development application for the museum extension, including concept plans, will be available for public viewing and comment early in 2012 through Council’s website at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au, at the Murwillumbah Council offices and the Murwillumbah library.
Although the museum will be closed in 2012, museum staff can be contacted during this period by phoning (02) 6670 2400 or by email at trrm@tweed.nsw.gov.au.
