A new visitor centre for Phillip Island’s much-loved Penguin Parade is a step closer with the appointment of Terroir as principal architect.
The Andrews Labor Government provided $48.2 million for the development through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, along with a $10 million contribution from Phillip Island Nature Parks.
The new visitor centre will boost the local economy and tourism in regional Victoria, with the creation of 620 new jobs plus an estimated 110 jobs on-site during construction.
It will also restore 6.7 hectares of habitat for the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) ensuring that world-leading research can continue in a thriving penguin colony.
Terroir is an architectural firm based in Australia and Denmark with experience in designing complex buildings in internationally significant and sensitive locations, including a large number of projects in regional areas and where local cultural and environmental conditions are central to the project.
Terroir will now commence an extensive consultative process with Phillip Island Nature Parks to ensure that the new Visitor Centre will provide the best facilities for the penguin parade for many years to come.
The new visitor centre is due to open in late 2019.
Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“This new visitor centre is a significant development for the local economy, the Penguin Parade and the hundreds of thousands of people that visit the attraction each year.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“Our $48.2 funding injection for the redevelopment of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade will help this iconic tourist attraction reach its full potential – and we’re proud of that.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This project will significantly improve the visitor experience and is part of our on-going plan to showcase the very best of what Gippsland has to offer to the world.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020