Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am very proud to say that the Liberal government has committed $10 million to a project called Bunjil Place in Narre Warren. I would like to congratulate the Casey council and local residents, as it is something I am very proud to be involved with. This project is expected to see two million people through its doors annually, and it will be a unique cultural, community and civic facility that will be the centrepiece for Melbourne's south-east suburbs. This is one of the largest projects to be undertaken by a local government in Australia, and it will offer visitors an unprecedented, diverse mix of arts, leisure, entertainment, library and civic facilities.

The precinct will feature a theatre which houses 800 seats and will be the biggest outside of the Melbourne CBD and a studio to host touring exhibitions, functions, trade shows and performances. There will be a gallery to showcase local but also national and international art exhibitions, something we are very excited about. It will have community library meeting rooms, which will include state-of-the-art learning facilities. Finally, there will be a community plaza specifically designed for families and community events. While the project is under construction there will be 1,200 jobs. It will inject $83.5 million into the regional economy, and each year will see it turn over $2.5 million to the local community. This is something I am very proud to be involved with, and I congratulate the council and local residents.