Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Wonthaggi Durham Lane revival as part of 'Discover Our Secret' initiative

Budget allocating to council’s Street Art Program to liven up the laneway, attracting locals and visitors.

By news@gippsland - 15th June 2021 - Back to News

Four local artists are descending on Durham Lane in Wonthaggi to enliven the Graham Street end with new murals, as part of Bass Coast Shire Council’s Wonthaggi, Discover Our Secret initiative.

This beautiful and colorful mural on the walls of Durham Lane in Wonthaggi is the work of Cowes artists Craig and Astrid Lockwood

Project funding

Council has allocated $150,000 in its 2020/21 budget to a Street Art Program, which will see art installations popping up across the Shire. Projects already completed as part of the Program can be seen on Connells Bakery in Wonthaggi, Olive Justice Place in Cowes, Inverloch’s Serious Surf Stuff and the Grantville retail area.

Attraction to locals and other visitors

The Durham Lane installations will see four unique artworks painted along the laneway, complementing the existing artworks already adorning its walls. Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said that once completed, Durham Lane will become Wonthaggi’s equivalent to Hosier Lane in Melbourne. "We want our laneways to become as internationally renowned as others and become an attraction for local and overseas visitors, so they too can Discover Wonthaggi’s Secrets," Cr Tessari said.

The four installations along Durham Lane will be completed by local artists Carly Ablett-Meade, Craig Lockwood, Rohan Manhal and Tom Murray-White. "The talent of our local artists’ rivals anything you will see anywhere else. Well done to our local creatives in creating something special for Wonthaggi," added Cr Tessari.

Celebrating life and reflecting its values

Each design will celebrate Bass Coast life and reflect the values that make Wonthaggi a great place to live. In collaboration with the buildings’ landlords and business owners, these artists have been briefed to apply their own particular style, using traditional paint and brush or acrylic spray, to realise their designs over a period of three weeks in June. The murals are expected to be completed by late June.

For more information about this Project, contact Council’s Arts and Culture Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire web page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
  Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection.
• Silcocks Hill Road in Toora reduced to single lane for four to six weeks during landslip repairs
  Silcocks Hill Road in Toora will operate under single-lane conditions for four to six weeks from August 17 while landslip remediation works are completed, with motorists urged to allow extra travel time.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
  A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges.
• Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
  East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026.
• Berninneit Gallery celebrates 'Forests Through Hoa Nguyen Immersive Art Exhibition' from 12 September to 25 October 2026
  Berninneit Art Gallery presents Becoming the Forest, featuring three large-scale drawings by Hoa Nguyen celebrating Bass Coast forests. The exhibition opens September 12, with a Living Earth Gathering on October 3.
• The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
  The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding.
• East Gippsland targets Canberra visitors in new Spring Tourism Campaign, destination marketing and supporting local businesses
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched a Canberra-focused spring tourism campaign, testing evidence-led marketing strategies while attracting shoulder-season visitors and supporting local businesses through targeted promotion.
• Bairnsdale Library unveils upgraded outdoor spaces with new shade structures, refreshed courtyard and improved facilities for community activities
  Bairnsdale Library has unveiled upgraded outdoor spaces featuring two louvred shade structures, refreshed courtyard landscaping and vegetable beds, supported by $79,104 in Living Libraries Infrastructure Program funding.