The development will address major deficiencies in the facility and in cultural service provision to the region. It will provide greater access to the arts and cultural activities for the region’s community and schools.

The project will deliver:
400 seat performance space to benchmarked VAPAC standards
Disability access to the venues
Enhanced entrance and community access foyer gallery
Improved access, visibility and functionality of existing spaces and uses including arts studios,
Indigenous art Collection, foyer access gallery.
Art of Place indigenous cultural education garden (Read more about Art of Place)
Improved arts retail facilities
Improved rehearsal, workshop and ancillary activity spaces
Integrated administration offices



The new theatre will be used by regional schools, professional and community theatre, music groups and children’s theatre; for performances, rehearsals, workshops, youth arts activities and more.

Many of the improvements will be made by refurbishing existing areas of the cultural facility, while a new auditorium of some 420 sq metres will be added over existing car parking. Car and bus parking capacity and handling capabilities will be increased substantially.

The project will also end the current discrimination against people with disabilities in the area. The centre’s existing first floor has no disability access at all, excluding many from using the centre. The new facility is designed as an exemplary access all abilities – all areas facility.

The new theatre and cultural centre refurbishment is in response to three major council studies into cultural facilities and services in the region. It is designed to meet the demonstrated needs of the local community, the arts sector, education sector, tourism and the arts-business sector. The project builds the capacity of the organisation and facility to provide ongoing and sustainable benefits across a wide range of activities and outcome areas in partnership with other key cross-sector service providers in the region.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges and Burrinja have conducted a series of community, resident and stakeholder consultations regarding the project, commencing with studies in 1998, 2002 and 2003 and working with residents on draft plans through meetings from September 2005 onward.

Burrinja is…
The region’s key multi functional arts facility and cultural hub;
Managed by a not-for-profit cultural organisation in Partnership with the Shire of Yarra Ranges in a Shire owned facility;
Provides community cultural development (CCD) & arts activities for residents of the Shire of Yarra Ranges and beyond;
Established as an icon arts and culture centre in the Dandenong Ranges;
Home to the world-class Burrinja Indigenous Art Collection (Shire of Yarra Ranges);
Acultural tourism destination; and,
An arts business enterprise incubator
A sustainable business leader

Project Partners:
Shire of Yarra Ranges, the Victorian State Government, the Federal Government and Burrinja (Dandenong Ranges Community Cultural Centre Inc.).

Project Architects:
Gregory Burgess Architects, Richmond, Victoria. Gregory Burgess is one of Australia’s leading and most highly respected architects, and was awarded the RAIA Gold Medal in 2004: the highest honour the Royal Australian Institute of Architects can bestow. More

A planning permit was issued for the project in January 2009. Building is scheduled to commence in November 2009, with completion scheduled for May 2011.

Burrinja will remain operational throughout the building works, with the main gallery, collection, café and administration remaining open to the public and continuing to provide cultural, public and music programs.

Project Outcomes

Key project outcomes will be to;

represent the five language groups of the Kulin Nation;
be developed in partnership with Indigenous communities and maintain cultural integrity;
incorporate an educational Indigenous garden;
reflect community Indigenous stories;
showcase innovative contemporary design within an environmentally sustainable context;
consider the following spaces – an outdoor classroom, ceremonial space, wetlands, gardens containing Indigenous plants and public art (both oitemporary and permanent)
Acknowledge and work with the concept of the original structure and proposed new works

In November 2008 an Art of Place Garden Working Group was formed to advance the project. The working group is managed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and also reports to the Performing Arts Project Control Group of the overall development at the site.

Imagine...
Art of Place is a project that will affect our community well into the future. It will be a place of reconciliation through education; a place of enlightenment, participation and also of quiet reflection. The pathway begins at the front entrance of Burrinja and ambles around the building and part of its surrounding parkland.

Take a walk through this garden and we will soon be walking in different shoes with a different outlook on this land. We are surrounded by plants that tell a cultural story both of today and long ago – plants that hold the stories of those peoples who first walked this land, who cared for it, farmed and managed it, and who remain inseparable from it today. We walk hand in hand, together on country. As we understand the depth of those ongoing stories, we begin to understand our connection with country – our relationship with it – and how we to can join with others to preserve this very important aspect of our Country’s history – its Indigenous history.

This is Aboriginal Land.
Wurundjeri Land.
Follow the path through the wetlands where there are plants that can be used for food, medicine, baskets and twines; hear the sounds of the animals that live in the billabongs and observe their habitats. Read the maps and information stones. Further along the path we are surrounded by different plants: woody plants that provide fibers and saps for tools, adhesives, fire and Ceremony. See orchids and daisies, mints and grasses, seeds for foods and medicine. Houses and canoes came from these plants, food, clothing and thread, and totems and moieties from its animals. A whole new world opens up to us as we take in this knowledge.

As we continue we will come across sculptures within the garden, growing like plants from the land. Each sculpture represents a story from each of the five traditional language groups of the Kulin Nation who were the first settlers of Melbourne and surrounds more than 40,000 years ago. and who are still active custodians of this Country today.

Art of Place will be a living ‘library’ from which we can access a balanced knowledge of Australian History. Age appropriate experiential workshops especially tailored for Primary and Secondary schools will be a regular feature. Tourists will be enthralled. The project itself will be created by interested groups within the community, and will be completely sustainable with its own water and energy supply. All Aboriginal knowledge and content will be sourced from those whose story it is, and in doing so will keep its true cultural integrity.

If you would like more information regarding this project please contact Burrinja.

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VCAT APPROVES TOWN PLANNING PERMIT FOR
BURRINJA PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

Burrinja Committee, staff and members warmly welcomed the decision of VCAT handed down in late December 2008 to approve the issuing of a town planning permit for the development of a 400 seat auditorium at Burrinja.

The decision brings to an end a 12 month town planning approval process. Burrinja, the Shire of Yarra Ranges and Greg Burgess Architects are now all keen to get on with the job and make the theatre a reality for the hills as soon as possible. The project now enters the detailed design development stage and will go to tender later in 2009 with work to commence soon after.

Shire of Yarra Ranges Media Release - December 31, 2008

SHIRE WELCOMES VCAT APPROVAL FOR
BURRINJA REDEVELOPMENT

Yarra Ranges’ Mayor Len Cox and Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff have both welcomed VCAT’s decision to approve a planning permit for the Burrinja Community Cultural Centre in Upwey.

Cr Cox said VCAT had directed that a permit be issued for the project supporting the council’s earlier decision in August.

Cr Cox said the decision paved the way for a $9.6 million redevelopment of the centre providing the hills community with a purpose-built 400 seat performance centre, improved gallery space, back of house facilities and meeting spaces.

Cr Cox said the project was the largest of its kind to be undertaken by the shire.

“This is a very positive result and will allow the council to deliver on its commitment to construct an outstanding regional facility catering for the arts, cultural and heritage needs of the local community, schools and performance groups,” Cr Cox said.

Street Ward councillor Noel Cliff said he was delighted by the decision. Cr Cliff played a key role in lobbying the federal government for the reinstatement of funding promised by the previous Howard government to upgrade the centre.

“This is a wonderful Christmas present for the people of the Dandenong Ranges and will ultimately deliver to the region a first class performance space that will benefit the entire community,” Cr Cliff said.

The $9.6 million project will be a three-way partnership with the shire allocating $4.6 million, the state government $3 million and the federal government $2 million.

Internationally renowned architect Gregory Burgess has designed the new performing arts centre and exhibition space. Burgess has designed some of Australia’s most prestigious cultural and tourism facilities including the Myer Music Bowl redevelopment; Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre; Melbourne Theological College and the striking Box Hill Community Arts Centre.

He has also won more than 40 professional and community awards including the Sir Zelman Cowen Medal awarded annually for the best building in Australia and received the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal Career Award for the premier Australian architect.

Cr Cox said the project would now be put out to tender, with work expected to start in 2009.

Cr Cliff paid tribute to the work of state MP James Merlino and federal MP Jason Wood who were instrumental in securing funding for the development. He also thanked Burrinja Community Cultural Centre board members and supporters for their assistance with the project’s planning and approval stages.

VCAT APPEAL TO PLANNING PERMIT “DISAPPOINTING”

At their August 12 meeting Shire of Yarra Ranges Councillors voted unanimously to approve the application for the construction of a 400 seat performing arts space at Burrinja in Upwey.
This week ten residents local to the proposed project lodged an appeal to VCAT against the Shire of Yarra Ranges decision to grant a Town Planning Permit.

Although the Burrinja Committee is disappointed that issues surrounding the project could not be resolved by further consultation or mediation, President Paul O’Halloran says that residents are simply exercising their democratic right to have their say in a forum other than Council.

“Burrinja has been very active in trying to keep residents informed about the project and any developments since the first consultation meeting held in September of 2005, and then ongoing” said Paul O’Halloran. “Staff have personally letterboxed hundreds of the surrounding houses on many occasions, inviting residents to information and consultation sessions during the past three years. At these sessions draft plans and arising issues have been discussed with those who attended, with suggestions fed back into the planning and design process.”

The Shire of Yarra Ranges sent surveys and information regarding the proposal and the permit application to some 400 residents in the area. Consideration of the submissions made to the town planning process resulted in further changes being made by the Gregory Burgess design team to address specific local residents concerns.

Executive Officer Ross Farnell says that “the 46 Conditions placed by Council upon the planning permit provide substantial protection for residents, ensuring minimal impact of the facility upon the local area. We will continue to discuss and negotiate on any remaining issues to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

While the delay to final approval for the project is disappointing, it is not to be unexpected in a project such as this. Burrinja and Gregory Burgess Architects will now work through this process with the aim of delivering a performing arts facility that serves and meets the needs of all of the community, including the concerns of neighbours.
“We are committed to ensuring we minimize Burrinja’s impact on the local residents on a continuing basis” said Paul O’Halloran.

Burrinja Performing Arts Project

Breaking News!
August 12, 2008

COUNCIL APPROVES PLANNING PERMIT!

At their August 12 meeting Shire of Yarra Ranges Councillors voted unanimously to approve the application to grant a town planning permit for the construction of a 400 seat performing arts space at Burrinja.

Achieving this key milestone is another very important step forward in bringing this vital community project to fruition.

With the unflagging support of the community the project has secured $9.6m in funding from the three tiers of government; completed feasibility, site and business plans; achieved a design that works to meet the community needs and the budget; and now has council planning approval.

In every instance, the strong support of the community has made the real difference. The project has proven that communities do have the ability to be heard and to achieve positive outcomes.

We still have some way to go before construction can begin. As the project moves into the detailed design stage we will be working hard to ensure that any potential impact of the Performing Arts Centre on neighboring residents is minimized. Numerous changes have already been made to the traffic and parking layouts and to future management plans to ensure that the operations of Burrinja continue to be sensitive to the needs of the local area, and the project will continue its endeavors in this important area.
We will continue to work with our neighbours to address their concerns both now and into the future.

Burrinja would like to thank everyone, from key stakeholders to Foundation and Jarmbi members, Councillors, volunteers, local state and federal government representatives and the many hundreds of individuals who have been the real strength of this project.
It is currently planned to begin construction in mid 2009.

YOU WON’T LOSE YOUR LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURAL HUB WHILE WE’RE BUILDING!

It is planned that Burrinja Gallery and Café will remain operational during the construction period, and continue to bring a vibrant program of visual, performing, education and community arts to the region.

LATEST BREAKING NEWS – AUGUST 2007
Performing Arts receives a Federal funding boost!
It was a fabulous day for the future of arts and culture in the region on Thursday August 23, 2007 when the Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd and Member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, announced that the Australian Government would contribute $2,001,957 through the Regional Partnerships program to the upgrade of Burrinja.

Combined with the previous commitments from the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the State Government of Victoria, this terrific partnership across all three tiers of government has now committed a total of $9.6m to make the 400 seat performing arts centre, facility upgrade and ‘Art of Place’ indigenous cultural garden at Burrinja a reality.

The proposed Centre will make a major contribution to the arts and cultural needs of the local community providing residents, schools and parents with a local major performing arts venue.

This level of project funding would not have been possible without the commitment of people like our Foundation and Jarmbi Members who have supported the project with pledges, letters, membership and by participating in our many programs and events. Both the Minister and Jason Wood noted that the strong cross sector community support in evidence for the Burrinja project was instrumental in it receiving this unprecedented level of Federal Regional Partnership funding.

The project will soon go to a formal review at Council before proceeding to a town planning application before the end of the year. It is currently hoped to begin building within ten to twelve months.

We hope to raise further funds from the community through our Foundation Membership for essential big-ticket items that are not part of the capital works funding, such as a grand piano. If you’d like more information please contact the centre.

From Burrinja’s Committee of Management and all on the Project Control Group, a huge ‘thank you’ to all our Jarmbi Members for helping make a purpose-built home for the performing arts in the hills a reality. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved by active communities.

Read the Premier of Victoria’s 2006 Funding Media Release by downloading the PDF here.

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For further information regarding the new theatre at Burrinja including the new venue and facility specifications and technical details, hire and general inquiries, please contact Ross Farnell, Executive Officer, Burrinja. 03 9754 8723

For inquiries specific to the building project and construction, please contact the Project Manager, Shire of Yarra Ranges. 1300 368 333