Council continues to work towards the delivery of an Arts and Culture Centre in Victor Harbor’s town centre.

Our Vision

Recognising the cultural and economic value of arts and cultural activity, the City of Victor Harbor have been working towards the development of an Arts and Culture Centre since 2016.

The Council consider an Arts and Culture Centre to be an integral part of its aspiration to cultivate arts and cultural activity, and position Victor Harbor as a regional arts and cultural destination. It is working towards delivering a centre that incorporates all art forms providing local artists, groups and the broader community with a place to meet, work, exhibit, collaborate and learn.

Project Background

Initial concepts for an Arts and Culture Centre were developed in 2017 and centred around the redevelopment of the heritage-listed Victor Harbor Town Hall and Old Library buildings on Coral Street. Both of these buildings are owned by the City of Victor Harbor.

These concepts were prepared based on targeted stakeholder feedback and other investigations. They were presented to the wider community for feedback and comment in early 2018. While there were some concerns around some of the aspects of the proposed design, namely the capacity of the centre and provision of tiered seating, it was clear there is a strong desire from the community for an arts and cultural facility in Victor Harbor.

Following this consultation, the Council undertook further due diligence. A report was prepared that looked at potential locations for a facility of this nature within the council area along with benchmarking analysis of 10 other facilities located across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Investigations were also carried out in relation to the viability of expanding the footprint of the Arts and Cultural Centre beyond the Town Hall and Old Library buildings and including the iconic Victa Cinema within the proposal.

The Council soon recognised the opportunity to include the cinema within its Arts and Cultural Centre vision, particularly noting the versatility the cinema provides as a space for live performances in addition to remaining an operating cinema.

2021 Consultation

Following the Council’s purchase of the iconic Victa Cinema, a new concept design and cost estimate for an Arts and Culture Centre was presented to the community for feedback. The design combines four of Victor Harbor’s most prominent buildings: the Town Hall, Old Mechanics Institute, Librarian’s Residence and Victa Cinema. The materials that were circulated for consultation can be viewed here.

Of the 255 participants who submitted feedback formally during the consultation period, just under 70% supported the Arts and Culture Centre concept plans as presented. However, the consultation also highlighted that further investigation and refinement needs to occur in relation to:

• Design features – mainly entry façade, and connecting passageway.
• Cost – looking at ways to reduce the overall cost to below $20 million through design and construction options

View the Community Engagement Report

In an Ordinary Council meeting on 26 July 2021, Council considered the feedback received from the community and decided on the next steps for this major capital project. 

2023 Victa Cinema Heritage Listing

In August 2023, the Victa Cinema was listed on the South Australian Heritage Register (it was formally only locally heritage listed). The heritage report can be viewed below and provides detail on the history and significance of the Cinema. The heritage listing has necessitated changes to the concept design endorsed in 2021, however will result in a better outcome for the project and community.

View the Heritage Assessment Report

2023 Detailed Design

In 2023, Council worked on the detailed design and construction documentation for Stage 1 of the Arts and Culture Centre. Stage 1 includes the Victa Cinema  end including the Ocean Street tenancies, candy bar and upstairs cinema box. The plans were endorsed by Council in December 2023 and can be viewed below.

View the Stage 1 Detailed Design - Part 1 and Part 2

What’s next?

In 2024, Council will continue with the detailed design of the remaining stages. A review of the concept design will also occur that considers the retention of the original proscenium arch, the importance of which was brought to the Council's attention as a result of the heritage listing.