Progress on turtle-styled cultural centre gathers pace

It looks like a giant turtle from above but this is actually the shell of a long sought-after Aboriginal cultural and visitors centre in Bibra Lake.

The centre, which is inspired by the native southwestern snake-necked turtle, will be built alongside Walliabup-Bibra Lake and is expected to be ready to open in two years.

It will include meeting spaces, art and performance spaces, a visitor’s information centre and cafe, and is expected to attract 20,000 people each year.

But a bit like a turtle, it’s been slow going to this point.

City of Cockburn Aboriginal Reference Group committee member Gail Beck told PerthNow the Aboriginal community had been waiting 20 years for this centre.

“I am very grateful that the council can see the value of the local community,” she said. “The main reason we pushed for that was because we didn’t have a sense of place and we didn’t have the space to go to for our own gathering.”

Ms Beck said the Aboriginal community wanted a space like the Italian, Spanish and Indian clubs so they could go there in “good, bad and cultural times”.

Cockburn councillors voted 8-1 at their December 9 meeting to approve a revised concept design for the building, which is set to cost $12.5 million.

City of Cockburn head of community development and services Karoline Jamieson said the reference group and the architect were involved in the process that led to the design changes, which she said would provide cultural and environmental benefits, and cost savings.

“It will provide a unique and highly valuable cultural and community asset, which was identified as part of the City’s first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2011,” she said.

“It will provide employment and small business opportunities for Aboriginal people through the creation of dedicated Aboriginal positions, which recognise the need to have particular activities delivered by Aboriginal people.”

The City intends to apply for grants from both the corporate sector and the Federal Government to cover some of the building costs but if it is unsuccessful, will take out a loan for the required money.

The project has already attracted a $1.5m Lotterywest grant in July.

Ms Beck wants other local governments to follow in Cockburn’s footsteps by building an Aboriginal culture and visitors centre.

In September, the State Government committed $50m for an Aboriginal Cultural Centre near the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River).