The building is the latest project to begin on the old cement works site, which is now known as The Foundations.

In addition to the already iconic Silo Murals, the very popular monthly markets, and acclaimed metal sculptor Harrie Fasher now on site as Artist In Residence, the project is still moving forward and giving the small town something positive to focus on.

State Government support of $500,000 was awarded to the project in March 2019, and after going through a lengthy DA and design process, initial works are now being carried out as a full refurbishment of the building gets underway.

The project will see the roof completely renewed, cladding and windows repaired and repainted and interior work completed to make way for the historic buildings next chapter.

Since it was built in the early 1940's as a feeder factory for the Lithgow Small Arms factory, the building has been a window manufacturing facility; a community hall for rollerskating, basketball and events and finally a storage facility for the cement works, until the site was closed in the early 1990s.

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The Annexe refurbishment is taking place to create a new home for The Museum of Comparative Zoology (MOCZA) to take up permanent residence in the near future, after a successful Pop-Up museum in 2018/19 proved how popular the attraction was.

Bathurst MP Paul Toole said the project will be very beneficial to the town of Portland on a number of fronts.

"It will create local jobs throughout the construction phase, help build the profile of the town as a tourist destination, and add to the education of students in the region," he said.

"The work is now underway and the team at The Foundations are being very particular to keep the building's heritage intact whilst making it a useable space for the future," he said.

"Being able to partner with the State Government on this project at The Foundations has given us the confidence that even in this current economic climate we are able to push forward with our vision for the site and ensure we keep the momentum of the project going," said Martin O'Connell, Managing Director of The Foundations.

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