Regional West Construction will commence work in mid-January.

The new build will include the Platypus Gallery, a café, a retail store, and gallery spaces for travelling exhibitions and spacious rooms for events.

Keith Mullette says the vision is for, "a contemporary space that accommodates an enterprise with creativity that meets with the other Forbes Arts Society projects, Sculptures Down the Lachlan and the recent installation of bird hides at Gum Swamp."

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson, Dr Karen Ritchie, said the Society is excited about finding the right fit for the cafe - either a chef or food and beverage company.

"We want to work closely with the preferred café operator over the next 12 months to create a contemporary eatery that's welcoming, accessible and complements the Centre's other creative and collaborative spaces," she said.

"The new design incorporates sustainable features; it is fully accessible and includes a lush courtyard which we anticipate will become a gathering point for locals and visitors to the region."

The Forbes Cultural and Arts Centre development is part of the $7.2 million 'Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project' which is proudly funded by the NSW Government's Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

The 'Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project' aims to foster visual arts throughout the Forbes Shire, grow the visitor economy and promote the Lachlan Valley region as a premier tourism destination.

The project also includes the Gum Swamp redevelopment and extension of the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail.

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com

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