Central Tablelands Collections Facility on track to open next year

Once complete, the facility will champion the storage and preservation of priceless objects and artworks of intrinsic cultural and heritage value to Bathurst and further afield.

CTCF project manager Tim Pike, who has been Bathurst Regional Council's collections manager since 2000, said the project has been two decades in the making.

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"This facility is expected to house some 16,000 items of cultural and heritage significance to the region, valuing over $20 million worth of assets," Mr Pike said.

"Our existing museums and galleries just don't have the room to store these priceless collections in a modern world, so we need a facility where these items can not only be stored, but properly preserved."

Mr Pike said the facility will also serve as a vital public resource for members of the community to research the region's proud history.

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"It's pointless having collections without being able to use them," he said.

"COVID has shown the public really want to access old images and stories, and this facility will allow us to digitise collections as well as preserve them.

"Whether there's an Indigenous Australian bark needing a mount made for it, old textiles from the early days of Mount Panorama motor racing or items from former prime minister Ben Chifley's collection, this facility will be able to tend to them."

Mr Pike said the facility will have a dedicated workspace to bring in conservators and specialists to not only work on items, but also train collections staff to preserve stored objects.

Bathurst mayor Ian North said the facility will benefit numerous Central West councils in terms of preserving treasured items of significance.

"A lot of councils around here have quite a variety of special items they wish to preserve for future generations, and this facility will be able to provide that security," Cr North said.

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"This space will also free up room at our existing cultural facilities to ensure greater freedom and manoeuvrability."

The project has been jointly funded by council and Create NSW, the state government's arts, screen and cultural funding body.

Bathurst MP Paul Toole said the state government has also delivered an extra $100,000 towards fitouts for the facility's front office.

"This will be a one-of-a-kind facility for regional NSW, and it'll be great to see it in Bathurst," Mr Toole said.

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