Executive
summary
Developing a Western Australian Aboriginal Cultural Centre,
located in Perth on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar,
is a key priority of Government and the benefits of doing so
are substantial.
A flagship Aboriginal Cultural Centre
with State-wide significance has
been identified as a major cultural
infrastructure need for Western
Australia, and presents an extraordinary
opportunity to celebrate Western
Australia’s diverse Aboriginal art and
culture and share it with the nation and
the world.
The draft State Infrastructure Strategy
recommends the Western Australian
Government (WA Government) increase
its investment in existing and new
arts, culture, sport and recreational
infrastructure across the State to
ensure they are fit for purpose. This
recommendation serves to reinforce the
WA Government’s decision to continue
with the planning and development of
a business case that will allow for an
investment decision by Government to
deliver a landmark Aboriginal Cultural
Centre of global significance as well as
broad cultural appeal right here in Perth.
Arts and cultural infrastructure is
recognised in the 2019 Australian
Infrastructure Audit as having a
crucial role in the socio-economic
empowerment of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples. While
there is high demand from both
domestic and international visitors for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
culture and art in Australia, there are
few dedicated art and cultural centres
catering to this demand. To maximise
this potential, investment in cultural
infrastructure is necessary. In doing
so the WA Government will recognise
and celebrate the world’s oldest
and continuing culture, and uncover previously untapped pathways for
Aboriginal enterprise in local, national
and international markets.
Intrinsic artistic activities in Aboriginal
cultures and communities have existed
for more than 65,000 years. An
Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Perth will
play an important role in revitalising,
maintaining, and strengthening
Western Australian Aboriginal cultural
practices. It will also represent a
tangible expression of acknowledging
and paying respect to the deep
traditions of Aboriginal cultural heritage,
connecting the past with the continuum
of contemporary living culture of
Aboriginal Western Australia.
Perth’s Aboriginal Cultural Centre will
celebrate and the promote diversity
of the State’s Aboriginal cultures and
inspire visitors to explore all regions of
the State to experience first-hand the
unique experiences available in Western
Australia. The Centre will also cultivate
the visitor experience by promoting
links to facilities in other Australian
jurisdictions as part of a proposed
national program of Indigenous art and
cultural centres. Visualise the many
visitors starting their encounters right
here in Western Australia, before moving
on to other States and Territories as part
of an holistic national Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander cultural experience.
This cultural investment will lead
to flow-on social and economic
benefits across the State and the
Australian economy. A purpose-built
facility promoting arts and cultural
participation will support cultural identity, economic empowerment,
community connectedness, raise
awareness, and promote wellbeing
in Aboriginal communities across
the State. The presence of a globally
significant Aboriginal Cultural Centre
will contribute to improving social
circumstances of Aboriginal people, and
advance the progress of reconciliation.
For Aboriginal people, efforts for
reconciliation include acknowledging
past wrongs and understanding the
historical circumstance that effect
Aboriginal people today.
The idea for an Aboriginal Cultural
Centre is not a new one, but
while previous Western Australian
Governments have acknowledged
its importance, the concept of an
Aboriginal Cultural Centre has not
gained significant momentum- until
now. The Western Australian and
Australian Governments have co-funded
this pre-feasibility study, with the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
charged as lead.
On 22 February 2021, a $217 million
plan was unveiled to increase tourism
offerings and support the sector
through COVID-19, when the Western
Australian Government announced it
would invest a further $50 million in the
Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
This allocation of funding recognises
the importance of celebrating Western
Australia’s unique Aboriginal culture
and history, and represents the most
substantial commitment by any WA
Government toward developing a State
Aboriginal Cultural Centre. To bring this
vision to life, this substantial investment
will go toward planning, design works
and seed capital of for an Aboriginal
Cultural Centre located near the
culturally significant Derbarl Yerrigan
(Swan River).
The term ‘culture’ has many applications,
and is used to describe art, dance and
other creative enterprises that are an
embodiment of Aboriginal cultural
knowledge, processes and systems.
With that richness and diversity, it was
necessary to apply a broad definition
to cultural expression when planning
for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre
and during the development of this
Pre-feasibility Report.
As the approach to the pre-feasibility
study was planned, a number of
parameters/assumptions were made.
These included ensuring the focus
remained on Western Australian
Aboriginal art, culture and heritage;
and that the Centre be located and
built on Whadjuk lands in proximity to
the Derbarl Yerrigan; and to make sure
that the significance of such a Centre
is represented in the form of iconic
architectural design. As with the first
stage of planning for any project of this
size and complexity, many elements are
still yet to be determined, and will form
the basis for future stages of planning
for the project.
An important aspect of the study has
been planning for extensive consultation
involving Aboriginal communities across
the State. Support and involvement
of Traditional Owners in planning,
concept, design and operating the
Aboriginal Cultural Centre is essential,
and must continue for a project of this
significance to succeed.
The development of an Aboriginal
Cultural Centre on Whadjuk Noongar
land requires a carefully planned
process that takes into account cultural
protocols with Whadjuk Noongar as
host nation, while also connecting
with Aboriginal communities across
the State. A hub-and-spoke approach
embodies a model where the Aboriginal
Cultural Centre is positioned as the hub,
offering a full array of services, and
is complemented through a network
of secondary spoke destinations in
the regions.
With culture at the forefront, the intent
is to ensure the Aboriginal Cultural
Centre is a dynamic and engaging hub
of creative activity for the Aboriginal
community, other members of the public
and visitors to the State. It is envisioned
the Centre will include gallery,
performance and community spaces,
in harmony with commercial activity as well as research and academic
spaces. Striking the right balance is
vital, and as the project evolves, each
of these elements will be considered in
more depth.
Situating the Aboriginal Cultural Centre
in the right location is of paramount
importance to the project. The site will
need to connect with Aboriginal people,
be considered a place of significance
with cultural connections to other
places. A site that is a landmark site
will also capitalise on visitor access.
State-owned sites in proximity to the
Derbarl Yerrigan in Whadjuk Noongar
country, with easy access to the Perth
Central Business District, were assessed
for suitability. The study examined
planning and regulatory approvals,
and cultural appropriateness for each
site identified. Applying the principal
criteria, potential sites were shortlisted
to include Dumas House grounds and
Kings Park, both situated in West Perth;
Langley Park and Terrace Road car
park in central Perth; and Heirrisson
Island (East and West) located in East
Perth. Heirrisson Island (West) was
removed from further consideration
following cultural advice. Suitability
of the remaining shortlisted locations
will be further explored during the
development of the business case.
High-level benchmarking against
projects of a similar nature was used
in the study to provide indicative
timeframes for development and a
high-level cost estimate. A recent and
comparable example is Boola Bardip
(WA Museum); a complex project that
also involved extensive consultation,
costing around $400 million and taking
eight years to complete. With Boola
Bardip in mind, it is anticipated it would
cost between $400 and $500 million
to deliver an Aboriginal Cultural Centre,
and is targeted for completion and
operation by 2029.
As the concept for an Aboriginal
Cultural Centre transitions from
pre-feasibility, the business case and
project definition plan will provide
greater clarity on how much, and how
long, it should take to deliver such
a pivotal and iconic structure and
operating model. These key elements
will be refined, including confirmation of
site selection, a detailed cost estimate
and a comprehensive schedule for the
State to deliver a world-class Centre
for the enjoyment of all that live in, and
visit, Western Australia.
An Aboriginal Cultural Centre is the
key to Western Australia’s vision of
becoming the premier, Aboriginal
tourism destination in Australia,
inspiring visitors to venture further into
regional Western Australia, where they
can experience first-hand authentic
Aboriginal cultural experiences. As
Aboriginal people share their stories,
experiences and traditions, and we
showcase the world’s oldest living
culture to visitors from far and wide, the
natural progression will be for Aboriginal
tourism to be regarded as part of
Australia’s mainstream tourism industry.
Establishing an Aboriginal Cultural
Centre builds on the invaluable and
extensive network of cultural capital
found throughout Western Australia’s
regions and across the nation.
Celebrating diversity of Aboriginal
culture is our opportunity to promote
the rich tapestry of Aboriginal art
centres and cultural experiences to the
world, as a journey of discovery for
visitors and guests, offering unique,
culturally rich displays in the State’s
capital city.