BY IAN CROUCH
After more than a decade of lobbying and broken promises, work on Newcastle Art Gallery's $39 million redevelopment is due to begin on Monday thanks to a $10 million funding commitment from the state and federal governments.
It means the gallery will close for two years while the work is done.
The new-look building will have an extra 1600 square metres of exhibition space, more storage, a secure loading dock and a cafe.
The project cost has doubled since the Gillard government pledged $7 million in 2011 on the condition the commitment was matched by the state government, which refused to do so, with the federal funds forfeited as a result.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Deputy Premier Paul Toole will announce the joint funding in Newcastle on Friday morning.
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| $10mil in state and federal funds means the Newcastle Art Gallery redevelopment can go ahead immediately |
