A Dutton-Littleproud Coalition government will back the Horsham and district’s arts community by putting $750,000 behind the Wesley Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said today at the Centre alongside Horsham Rural City Council Mayor Ian Ross, committee president Mary Starr and secretary Merryn Eagle, and councillors.

“Over thirty years ago a group of volunteers acquired the former Wesley Church building and raised the money to turn it into a Performing Arts Centre.  They’ve had to raise funds again to bring ‘the Wesley’ up to modern standards, and the Coalition is only too happy to back them and their Council to ensure this facility re-opens,” Dr Webster said.

The Wesley has hosted concerts and the Wimmera Music Eisteddfod since 1998 after dedicated volunteers acquired the building and converted it into a 255-seat performing arts space - but it had to close in November 2017.

Together with an estimated $622,000 raised by the community, the Coalition commitment will go toward improvements including:

·         The Main Hall will be made flexible and adaptive with a new flat floor design, meaning the whole venue will be on the same level, eliminating need for ramps or lifts, improving audience amenity and performances.

·         The Back of house area will be fully accessible and provide child-safe compliance.

·         The redesigned entrance will be compliant for people with disabilities or mobility issues.

·         Movable seating, sound and light equipment will be fit for purpose.

·         The Heritage listed organ pipes will remain in the same place.

·         Portable staging can be customised / repositioned for any type of performance.

·         The building will meet all current regulations and compliance standards.

·         Creates a small venue for public use, in the central activity district.

In July last year Council had indicated it hoped to see the Wesley re-open in 2026.

“I have to be clear, I can only make this funding a reality if the Coalition wins the upcoming election.  The Albanese Labor government has reduced spending in Mallee by a factor of 20 to 1 compared to my first term in office under a Coalition government,” Dr Webster said.

“My hope is that projects like The Wesley will be the beginning of Mallee getting back its fair share of federal spending.”

Dr Webster has recently been critical of the Albanese Government’s failure to provide a single housing grant to Mallee under the Regional Housing Support program, referring that program to the Auditor-General.

Mallee Councils have consistently told Dr Webster Labor’s co-funding demands make it incredibly difficult to successfully apply for funding.

“The Coalition is contributing close to half the estimated $2 million cost towards this project, which will be welcome relief to shires like Horsham Rural City Council after Labor starved shires with prohibitive project criteria and co-funding expectations,” Dr Webster said.