Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre

Consultation with the Aboriginal community identified that is was important that the centre be directly located in natural bushland so the centre and the outdoor spaces are connected in a culturally appropriate way to the bush.

This location is culturally appropriate, accessible via public transport, has high visitor numbers, and is located near the Bibra Lake Regional Playground. It backs onto high grade bushland suitable for cultural tours and activities.

After consultation with the Aboriginal community, the eastern side of the lake was considered to be culturally unsuitable. The Wetland Education area is considered to be a place of cultural significance for Aboriginal women and children, but not for Aboriginal men to have an ongoing presence there.

The feasibility study found that a co-located Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre is feasible if it is subsidised and managed by the City of Cockburn.

It is estimated that the capital works cost will be $12.05+m. The City will apply for corporate sector and federal government funding but if further capital works funding cannot be obtained, it will loan $4.07m from the WA Treasury Corporation, which will increase the project cost to $13.02m+. The facility will require an ongoing operational subsidy from the City.

The City has been awarded a $1.5M grant from Lotterywest.

Extensive consultation was undertaken with the local Aboriginal community, City of Cockburn Aboriginal Reference Group and members of the Whadjuk Working Party to determine the key design themes for the centre. These included the turtle shaped building, integration with nature and use of organic forms.
 
Key community groups such as the Wetlands Education Precinct Group, residents groups, environmental groups and surrounding businesses and schools were also contacted and offered an interview by the consultants and the City of Cockburn. Two public meetings and an online survey about the concept design were also advertised and conducted as part of the design process. Extensive community consultation was undertaken with the local Aboriginal community, Aboriginal Reference Group and Wetlands Education Precinct group. Key stakeholders, Elected Members, and key staff were also contacted and offered an interview by the consultants. Two public meetings and an online survey were also advertised and conducted as part of the process. 

Following the review and the subsequent increase in capital works, the City worked closely with the Aboriginal Reference Group (ARG) and the City’s Aboriginal Community Development Officers consulting with Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal community members, as well as the architect to make design changes that provide cultural and environmental benefits while also achieving cost savings. A working party has also been formed to continue providing cultural advice throughout the design process.

The estimated total floor size of the building is 1,259 sqm plus parking and outdoor landscaped spaces (which equates to 6,500 sqm). Inside the centre space will be required for a static and interactive museum display, cultural awareness training, educational and general activities, a café and visitors centre.  Spaces will be available for use or hire for a range of cultural and other visitors activities.