Relocation of Art Gallery and Visitor Services in Goolwa
Update March 2025
Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback.
Community feedback was presented to Council 17 March 2025.
Council received and noted the outcomes of the community consultation regarding the proposed re-location of the South Coast Regional Arts Centre, currently located in the Old Police Station, and the Goolwa Visitor Information Centre, currently located in the Old Post Office, to the Signal Point Experience Centre.
Council resolved to pause the proposed re-location of the South Coast Regional Arts Centre and Goolwa Visitor Information Centre and to hold a Council Workshop by the end of June 2025 to re-visit Council's service review objectives and to also invite key stakeholders.
Council noted that a report would be presented to a future meeting following the Council Workshop, with a recommended approach to further exploring opportunities.
Council received 200 responses during the community consultation campaign.
In response to the question “Do you support the proposed relocation of the gallery operations at the South Coast Regional Arts Centre (Old Police Station) to the Signal Point Experience Centre? Forty five per cent of respondents supported the relocation, 45% were opposed and 10% were neutral.
In response to the question of “Do you support the proposed relocation of the Goolwa Visitor Information Centre (Old Post Office) to the Signal Point Experience Centre? Sixty seven per cent of respondents were opposed to the relocation, 27% were in support and 6% were neutral.
Read the Council Decision and Report.
At the Council Meeting held 14 October 2024, Council approved for the purpose of community consultation, that the Goolwa Visitor Information Centre – Old Post Office (GVIC) and the gallery operations at South Coast Regional Arts Centre – Old Police Station (SCRAC) relocate to Signal Point Experience Centre (SPEC). Council are now consulting with the community on this decision.
Things to consider - General
- This recommendation was as a result of a comprehensive Service Review of Arts and Culture Programs and Visitor Services in 2024
- The relocation to a single building/service will provide potential future budget savings of approximately $281,000 (2025/2026) and ongoing.
- An implementation plan will be developed to guide the relocation and associated budget
- Foot traffic has been measured for the Goolwa Wharf Precinct to ensure adequate numbers
- Car parking arrangements are flexible
- With the completion of the new multi million dollar wharf redevelopment the time is right for Council to co-locate services to ensure maximal activation outcomes are achieved
- The vacated buildings will be included in Phase 3 of the Goolwa Wharf Precinct Activation campaign.
Things to consider - Goolwa Visitor Information Centre
- The Goolwa Visitor Information Centre will remain an accredited service
- Relocation to SPEC would allow for a dynamic and flexible space, with movable furniture, similar retail and content offerings
- Purposeful choices will be made to ensure the VIC space in SPEC will be contemporary, fluid and responsive both fit out and retail offering wise
- Modular and moveable tables, stands, and providore style benches will be key to achieve the flexibility to move items throughout the building. This will allow the VIC offerings to change with exhibitions in the gallery and respond in peak periods, and provide maps, brochures and future digital/interactive offerings
- This non-static and non-fixed approach will produce additional opportunities for more diverse retail offerings all throughout the building and allow them to complement the curation of the gallery, as many different artists showcase their art pieces and other designs such as jewellery, pottery, textiles and home décor pieces, just to name a few.
Things to consider - South Coast Regional Arts Centre
- Focusing all the Council’s visual arts activity in one fit-for-purpose building would enable the development of a regional gallery of sufficient size, scale and reputation to enhance Alexandrina’s reputation as a leader in the arts and offer a tourist destination
- Signal Point is already established
- Council arts resources are currently concentrated in Goolwa - operating two galleries within 150 metres of one and other, not allowing other parts of our region to be adequately serviced.
How to submit feedback
- By Mail - please direct written submission to alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au or
by post to Att: CEO, Alexandrina Council, PO Box 21, Goolwa SA 5214, or - In Person - where you can complete a hard copy survey at the Strathalbyn or Goolwa offices.
Council will accept submissions regarding this proposal until Friday, 31 January 2025, at 5 pm.
For further information, please call Council’s Senior Economic Development Advisor – Industry and Projects on (08) 8555 7000.
