Forbes Arts Society has made its decision on the contractors for the new build at the former
ambulance station. The contractors, Regional West Construction will commence work in mid-January.
The new build will include the Platypus Gallery, a café, a retail store, and gallery spaces for travelling
exhibitions and spacious rooms for events’ Keith Mullette says “A contemporary space that
accommodates an enterprise with creativity that meets with the other Forbes Arts Society projects,
Sculptures Down the Lachlan and the recent installation of bird hides at Gum Swamp. That’s the
Forbes Arts Society’s vision for Forbes and the Lachlan Valley.”
Forbes Arts Society Chairperson, Dr Karen Ritchie said, “we are excited about the prospect of finding
the right fit for the café, either a Chef or food & beverage company and we want to work closely with
the preferred café operator over the next 12 months to create a contemporary eatery that’s
welcoming, accessible and complements the Centre’s other creative and collaborative spaces.”
“The new design incorporates sustainable features; it is fully accessible and includes a lush courtyard
which we anticipate will become a gathering point for locals and visitors to the region.”
The Forbes Cultural and Arts Centre development is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the Lachlan
Valley Economy Art Project’ which is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Growth –
Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council
and Evolution Mining.
The ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ aims to foster visual arts throughout the Forbes
Shire, grow the visitor economy and promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism
destination. The project also includes the Gum Swamp redevelopment and extension of the Sculpture
Down the Lachlan trail. For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com.
