Bengalla Mining Company has generously made available land in Muswellbrook for a proposed Upper Hunter Regional Museum, which will showcase the diversity and rich heritage of our region.
The Upper Hunter Regional Museum Inc (UHRM Inc) is a not-for-profit incorporated association governed by a board of directors who recently announced their proposal for an Upper Hunter Regional Museum.
The Museum will be a major drawcard for the region and is planned to include exhibits that encompass, early settlement, indigenous heritage, coal mining industry, agricultural history, power generation, equine, an Australian cattle dog history exhibit, plus much more.
Proposed visitor facilities will include a visitor information centre, café, gift shop, a park and playground, as well as providing day parking for caravan and motor homes. Also planned in the Museum is an Education and Training Centre, plus an Auditorium and Function Centre.
Chairman of UHRM Inc, Wayne Toms, said, “The Museum project will be a significant asset to the Upper Hunter and will provide the opportunity to showcase the rich history of the region and the great diversity of industries that operate within it. The Museum is being designed as a major showpiece, not only for Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter, but for the State.”
The proposed site for the Museum is on land located on the corner of Denman Road and Bengalla Road. The land is currently owned by the Bengalla Mining Company, who have generously provided it for the purpose of the project. Cam Halfpenny, General Manager at Bengalla said, “We are proud to be part of this exciting project and to be in a position to provide the land for the Museum.”
A project steering committee is currently being formalised with a Business Case Study to commence in the coming weeks. Discussions with stakeholders have been taking place over the last 6 months with strong support for the project being shown.
The Business Case Study is targeted to be completed by the end of March 2022 in readiness for State and Federal funding applications.