The Wired Lab awarded $982,485 grant to transform Muttama Church into a cultural tourism destination
Artist’s rendering of the recently approved cultural tourism destination at Muttama, NSW.
Muttama, NSW: The Wired Lab will redevelop the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Muttama, transforming it into a cultural tourism destination that will increase regional tourism and create local job opportunities.
The ambitious project will convert the site into a multi-purpose cultural tourism space with adjoining boutique accommodation. Once open, the centre will facilitate community activities and provide access to deep listening arts experiences by internationally renowned artists. The development will also include permanent installations by leading Australian artists as part of its built works.
Made possible through a combined NSW and federal government grant from The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, the project has the support of over 10 regional stakeholders including Wiradjuri, government, tourism groups and operators.
According to Sarah Last, CEO & Artistic Director of The Wired Lab, ‘We’re thrilled to realise our vision for this exciting project. Since The Wired Lab’s inception we have set out to recentre cultural experiences to ensure they are inclusive of the regional and rural context. The Church project does this and will be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. We can’t wait to get started.’
Wiradjuri culture is embedded in the site’s planning with local Wiradjuri Elders engaged as project consultants. A Wiradjuri Yarning Circle will be situated in the middle of the space as part of the centre’s ongoing commitment to First Nation cultures.
Aunty Cheryl Penrith, local Wiradjuri leader and The Wired Lab board member said `The Church redevelopment will be an on Country space that provides opportunities for cultural exchange.
In particular, the Wiradjuri Yarning Circle centrally locates First Nations culture on a site where we were once excluded. This gesture is incredibly powerful and meaningful, especially as the Wiradjuri Yarning Circle will enable us to share culture with our community and visitors.’
The development has the strong support of Michael McCormack, Member for Riverina, who recognises the remarkable community, cultural and tourism impacts the redevelopment will have on local and surrounding communities.
‘This is a fantastic development for the region, not just because it helps the bushfire recovery immensely by creating jobs and attracting visitors, but also because it is building valuable arts and community infrastructure and includes Aboriginal people, respecting and growing their culture which can be shared by all for the benefit of all,’ Mr McCormack said.
Regional councils, affected by the bushfires devastating impacts, are also excited to benefit from this innovative project.
Cr Abb McAlister from Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council said ‘Our local government area has seen significant economic impacts of drought, bushfire, and the COVID pandemic. Businesses have closed, major banks are closing, employment has been drastically reduced. We’ve also seen less local, national and international tourists in the region as a result of the pandemic.
The funding announcement for The Wired Lab’s exciting redevelopment of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Muttama will assist in bringing tourism back to the Cootamundra-Gundagai local government area when the project is complete”.
Snowy Valleys Council Executive Director Paul Holton said Snowy Valleys Council has a long-standing relationship with The Wired Lab, promoting and hosting community cultural development activities and multi-year projects to residents of the Snowy Valleys region.
“Since the bushfires we have been working with the community, government and NGO agencies to develop strategic initiatives to heal the community and build skills that will generate economic vibrancy and visitation,” Mr Holton said. “The Wired Lab's strong track record of community-led and culturally-oriented project delivery makes us confident their Church of the Immaculate Conception project will provide a range of wellbeing, recovery, resilience and economic benefits to the Snowy Valleys and its adjacent communities.”
The building conversion and landscaping will be developed in collaboration with Castlepeake Architects and Somewhere Landscape Architects. Mark Oxenham from Castlepeake Architects said that the materials and landscaping will be representative of the local area and will surround the old church which will retain its simple, pure white form.
Located 10 minutes from the Hume highway and 1.5 hours from Canberra, the site is ideally situated for domestic and international tourism while onsite accommodation will supplement the region's established tourist destinations, along with its growing farmstay, food and wine offerings, such as The Sir George, Kimo Estate, Nimbo Fork Lodge and Highfield Farm & Woodland.
According to Yvette Myhill, General Manager Destination Riverina Murray ‘We can’t wait to see what amazing artistic and cultural programs come out of this new space, particularly the Wiradjuri Yarning Circle on Wiradjuri Country.’
‘This project will have a lasting impact on the local visitor economy and will definitely be ‘one to watch’ going forward.’
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