Last week, Griffith City Council committed to delivering a new regional art gallery by 2026, following a community push led by Brian Sainty and local artists who had labelled the current gallery as insufficient.

Mr Sainty said he is "obviously very pleased" that council has committed to the project and he would now be making sure the art gallery is built in the empty field next to the Griffith Visitor's Centre.

The area has already been set aside for a $600,000 rose garden, but Mr Sainty will be speaking to council next week to request they reverse this decision.

"We are still looking at one spot alone at the stage and that is the old bowling green next to the Visitor's Centre," Mr Sainty said. "We feel it is an obvious site."

"I think now with hindsight and more information, council will realise that site is not good for a rose garden."

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According to Mr Sainty, the area's size, location and proximity to parking spaces and the city's main tourist hub makes it the perfect spot for the purpose-built gallery.

The idea to build the rose garden on the site came from councillor Dino Zappacosta. He did not make comment on whether or not he would be in support of scrapping the plan in favour of a new gallery.

"Currently council has committed to searching for an adequate location for the regional art gallery and that is where my attention will be," Cr Zappacosta said.

"We will consult with the community, develop a plan and come up with an appropriate space.

"At the moment council has, in its budget, an allocation for a rose garden at the site near the Visitor's Centre."

According to Mr Sainty, building the new art gallery next to the Visitor's Centre would "create synergy" by putting a major drawcard for tourists right next to Griffith's central tourism hub.

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