Aboriginal Cultural Centre still five years away as Optus Stadium architect appointed to design facility

Aboriginal knowledge, storytelling and connection to Country will be at the centre of WA’s flagship Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

That’s a promise from the State Government now to be fulfilled by renowned architect firm Hassell, which has been appointed to develop the concept design for the landmark project first floated in 2020.

But it will be another five years before it’s seen, with a CBD site on Terrace Road in front of the Perth Concert Hall selected.

Envisioned as an immersive cultural hub to showcase Aboriginal creativity through art, dance, language, song and storytelling, the Aboriginal Cultural Centre will be designed by the team behind Optus Stadium.

Hassell’s designers will be guided by Aboriginal communities and other key stakeholders to ensure the long-awaited facility becomes WA’s gem of cultural tourism.

Heading up the centre’s implementation group will be Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna, a Yawuru woman with Bardi, Nimanburru and Kija connections, and former Treasurer and Aboriginal affairs minister, Yamatji man Ben Wyatt, now a corporate board director.

Nestled on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people and overlooking the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), the State Government has pegged its hopes on the Aboriginal Cultural Centre becoming a key tourism driver “connecting locals, interstate and international visitors with local community, artists and creatives”.

Premier Roger Cook said Hassell’s appointment was “the next important milestone” in delivering the cultural centre, which he called “a project of profound importance to Western Australia”.

“With a strong track record of designing infrastructure projects like Optus Stadium, Hassell brings valuable design expertise to create a world-class cultural landmark that honours Aboriginal cultures and deepens our shared understanding,” he told The West Australian.

The timeline for the “project of profound importance” has been slightly pushed out from the expected 2029, however, with the Aboriginal Cultural Centre now slated for opening in early 2030.

And the project’s price tag is far from being finalised, with the most recent investment from both State and Federal governments being $50 million each in 2022.

Before that, each kicked in $2m for a pre-feasibility study, which in 2021 produced a high-level estimate that building the centre would “cost between $400 and $500 million”.

The report cited WA Museum Boola Bardip as a similar project, noting it cost around $400m and took eight years to complete.

Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk said the Aboriginal Cultural Centre would provide “significant opportunities for Aboriginal businesses, creative practitioners and the tourism industry through live events, festivals, and cultural experiences”.