The historic Castlemaine Goods Shed is a step closer to becoming a year-round creative and cultural hub thanks to the Allan Labor Government with the appointment of the builders to lead the next stage of the site’s redevelopment.

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards recently announced McCorkell Constructions has been awarded the contract for the design and construction of the $6 million Victorian Governmentbacked project, which will create flexible spaces for exhibitions, events, performance and other creative activities.

McCorkell Constructions is working with the Castlemaine State Festival team to finalise the designs, with construction due to commence in November and run until mid-2025.

McCorkell Constructions has committed to employing local workers as part of the project that will see the building fitted out with performance and multi-arts spaces capable of hosting hundreds of audience members.

“The Victorian Government is proud to back the Castlemaine Goods Shed project and it’s exciting to kick off the next stage of this redevelopment, which will create a new creative, community and tourism asset for the region.” Said Ms Edwards.

“This site has played a big part in Castlemaine and Victoria’s history and this project will complete its transformation, giving it new life and purpose – that’s a win for the local and visiting artists and arts lovers alike.

"We’re absolutely delighted to see the Stage 2 of the Goods Shed project about to commence. Come Spring next year, we’ll have a new venue and performance arts space available for use by creative and community groups from Castlemaine and the greater region.

"By March 2026 – the 50th anniversary of the Castlemaine State Festival – the redeveloped GoodsShed will be jumping with festival events. What a legacy for the Castlemaine community and for all our supporters!"

As well as being a new flagship venue for the biennial Castlemaine State Festival, the redevelopment will enable the Goods Shed to operate as a year-round creative hub, creating a new revenue stream that will help fuel the festival into the future.

The redevelopment will be sensitive to the building’s heritage and will provide much-needed space for local and visiting artists to work while creating a new drawcard destination where community members and visitors can enjoy a program of creative and cultural events.

The first stage of the Goods Shed transformation was completed in April 2020. This work included creating office space for Castlemaine State Festival’s headquarters, meeting rooms, a co-working area for local businesses and a creative space available for hire to creative and community groups.

The Castlemaine State Festival offices and workspaces at the northern end of the complex will remain open during the upcoming construction works. The Goods Shed’s hire spaces will close during construction but reopen with new transformed spaces for use and hire by Spring 2025.