The Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia project marked another milestone today with a cleansing ceremony of the Terrace Road site prior to the start of ground investigation works.
The cultural event involved several ceremonies conducted by Whadjuk Noongar Elders including a smoking of the site, a water cleansing, ceremonial song and dance and a formal Welcome to Country.
The ceremony was conducted to prepare the area for the technical site investigation works that are due to occur next month.
The State and Australian Governments, together with the City of Perth, have been working on initial desktop site and service investigations to assist in understanding the ground conditions at the site.
On-site geotechnical and environmental investigations are now required to confirm these initial investigations and will occur at several locations on the site. The site activities will have minimal disruption to parking in the area and are anticipated to take place over a two-day period in December 2022.
The Aboriginal Cultural Centre project is a significant milestone in the State's history as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities walk together toward a more reconciled future and acknowledgment of the past becomes part of the City's cultural landscape.
A place of healing, celebration and acknowledgment, the Aboriginal Cultural Centre intends to deliver significant cultural, social and economic benefits for Aboriginal people and communities.
A funding commitment of $52 million from the McGowan Government and a matching contribution of $52 million from the Australian Government will now progress the planning, engagement, design and seed capital for the project.
The Centre is planned to open in 2028.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"The Terrace Road site sits on the cultural and spiritual homelands of the Whadjuk Noongar People, who have cared for this Country for tens of thousands of years.
"The culture shared today at this important ceremony shows why it is so vital that we have a place where we can celebrate and learn more about the diversity of Aboriginal culture.
"In the space of six years, we plan to stand here in this same location and celebrate the opening of an inspirational Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"An Aboriginal Cultural Centre that celebrates the diversity of our State's culture and heritage will rely on active and continuous engagement with Aboriginal people and communities.
"Their lead in the planning, concept and design of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia is essential and must continue for a project of this significance to truly succeed."
As stated by the Whadjuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre Cultural Authority Representatives:
"Three months ago, the Government invited us to be a part of the decision making regarding the site of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Western Australia.
"Today, we invited the Government to be a part of our ceremony to cleanse the site and to provide permission and safe passage for the first site investigations to occur on Whadjuk Noongar Country.
"This site along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) is a very spiritual place where our Elders met and welcomed others to our Country. We are very excited that it will soon welcome other Aboriginal people from across the State to come and join us to showcase the diversity of our cultures to the world."
