Townsville building contractors, A. Gabrielli Constructions (AGC), has been selected to construct the iconic project during a Special Meeting of Council on March 24.

Mayor Butch Lenton said it was one of the biggest decisions Council had passed since it built the North Gregory Hotel in the 1950s.

“I am proud of Council and the community for their passionate contribution and support throughout the building design process to date”, Cr Lenton said.

“The Waltzing Matilda Centre is an iconic Australian attraction. The redevelopment of the Centre is important for our community and raises Winton’s profile as a must visit destination.”

Winton CEO Alan Rayment said AGC brought the capability and energy necessary to deliver the Winton community much needed tourism infrastructure.

“AGC is a prominent Queensland builder,” Mr Rayment said.

“They have demonstrated to Council a genuine mutual appreciation of the significance of what Waltzing Matilda means to all Australians.”

AGC will join the Project Team to begin resurrecting the Centre gutted in afire on June 18, 2015.   

The Waltzing Matilda Centre, which featured memorabilia and interactive displays, was built in 1988 to celebrate Winton’s connection to AB “Banjo” Paterson’s famous 1895 song that has become Australia’s unofficial anthem.

The new Centre due to be complete in early 2018 will contain a world class museum experience and will attract visitors from across Australia and the World.