The City of Greater Bendigo has installed a new multi-media screen in Hargreaves Mall to become a focal point for city activations, entertainment and information for the community.
The screen covers the Mitchell Street-end lantern and faces into the Mall. It will broadcast a range of content including community messaging, movies, music videos, concerts, live sport, emergency messaging as needed, and it also has a camera that can be turned on so people in the Mall can interact with the screen.
The screen will first be used to broadcast a short film at the Harmony Fair in the Mall this Sunday (March 20) to celebrate cultural diversity and inclusiveness in Greater Bendigo.
Director Strategy and Growth Steve Hamilton said the Hargreaves Mall was changing and the screen would help bring more people into the space.
"The screen is an exciting addition to the Mall and a great source of entertainment and information for our community as we continue to safely move about again," Mr Hamilton said.
"In Melbourne and around the world we see screens of various shapes and sizes adding to the vibrancy of public spaces and we look forward to this screen having a similar impact on our city centre.
"This initiative is in response to community consultation on the Hargreaves Mall and part of the Transforming the City Centre Action Plan. The overall aim of the screen is to further invigorate the vibrancy of the city centre, making it a great place to relax, shop and do business.
"The screen is part of a range of projects planned for the Mall, including a new shade shelter and landscaping, which will be timed to complement development of the new Accor Mantra Hotel.
"The Mall is a popular space to hold community events and it is also a busy place, and over the next few years there will be some big changes that will help to further activate the area.
"Just like shopping centres that are updated every seven to 10 years, outdoor public spaces and shopping areas that fulfil a similar purpose also need to be invested in. The City looks forward to this next chapter in the life of the Mall."
The screen will be operated by the City and staff will curate the content. It will not be available for commercial advertising.
The screen and installation cost $151,000.
