The Australian Transport Museum Limited is one step closer to realising a long held dream of a museum to showcase the region's transportation heritage with the Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) approving the development in July.
Once funding is secured the museum will be a marquee tenant within the Armidale Airside Business Park adding to the region's tourism destinations. Armidale Regional Council has been a supporter of the project leasing land at a peppercorn rate in the business park to the Australian Transport Museum Limited on a ten year lease of $365 annually with a further option for an additional ten years.
Mayor Sam Coupland said the museum's construction price tag of $6.5m was the next challenge for the committee but was confident they would soon get the job done.
"To get to this significant milestone of an approved development application has been a 10 year labour of love for committee members and I congratulate the team on this significant achievement," said mayor Coupland
"It hasn't been an easy task but they have stayed true to their vision. The region is home to a large and significant collection of rare vintage and classic vehicles that will soon have a home for visitors to enjoy."
The Australian Transport Museum also known as the Armidale Transport Museum will display a sizeable collection of vehicles in an overall floor area of 3385 square metres across four exhibition halls and include a retail shop, offices and amenities. Off-street parking, landscaping and associated works will be developed across a land area of 5000 square metres.
Secretary of the Australian Transport Museum Limited Eric North says these are exciting times with applications already underway for grants to build the museum.
"When operational, the museum will have a variety of exhibits and be a great draw card to Armidale," said Mr North.
"It will provide diversity to the area's tourism attractions, as well as being a gathering point for people interested in historic transport and meeting others."
