The next phase of the $57.5 million renovation of the Australian Museum is now underway with the refurbishment plans on exhibition for public comment.
Department of Planning and Environment’s Executive Director Key Sites and Industry Assessments, Anthea Sargeant, said the renovation plans include the extension of Crystal Hall, new Museum entries, a new café, solar panels on rooftops and a bus bay to boost road safety for visitors.
“This new renovation will add even more compelling reasons for people to visit the Australian Museum,” Ms Sargeant said.
“However, like all major state significant developments, we need to ensure every aspect of the renovation is carefully assessed and all stakeholders are heard so we’re encouraging people to have their say on the renovation plans.”
Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, Ms Kim McKay AO, said the expansion plans are designed to allow Sydney’s iconic museum to host world-class exhibitions, such as Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh, scheduled for early 2021.
“The expanded space for touring exhibitions will be able to accommodate up to 900,000 visitors during a six-month blockbuster exhibition the size and scale of Tutankhamun,” Ms McKay said.
“As well as expanded exhibition spaces, the refurbishment will also create new education facilities, enabling school student visitors to double to 100,000 a year.”
Ms McKay added the expansion plans allow the museum to address the significant space constraints and improve the public amenity for generations of Australians and international visitors.
“We are transforming the Australian Museum for the future. As we continue to improve the visitor experience at the Museum, we want to ensure it remains one of Sydney’s iconic natural science and cultural attractions,” she said.
More information about the development application or to make a written submission during the exhibition period, until 21 November 2018, is available here.
