- Work on the business cases to consider First Nations Cultural Centres in Brisbane and in Cairns is set to progress this month.
- A highly experienced and respected First Nations person has been appointed as project lead to steer the development of the business cases.
- Priority will be given to the development of a consultation framework that guides engagement with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples, and other key stakeholders including relevant local governments.
The Palaszczuk Government today confirmed that the development of the business cases for First Nations Cultural Centres proposed for Cairns and Brisbane is a step closer with the appointment of the Project Lead.
Ms Georgina Richters has been appointed by the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts as Project Lead to develop the business cases for the two First Nations Cultural Centres, following a First Nations-led selection process.
Ms Richters is the Principal and Lead of First Nations Advisory and has significant expertise in delivering complex First Nation projects through her work at national, state, local and community levels for more than 25 years.
It is anticipated that the business cases will ultimately inform an overarching approach to the consideration of First Nations centres in Queensland, building upon previous work on a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane, including an options assessment, which identified community support for the centre.
The options assessment also identified a Hub and Spoke model could connect a Brisbane-based Centre to regional and remote areas, providing improved economic outcomes and jobs for First Nations peoples and enhance tourism opportunities in regional areas.
As an important gateway to Far North Queensland, a First Nations Cultural Centre in Cairns would build upon this model to provide a deeper view of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures of the Far North Queensland region.
First Nation-led engagement with Traditional Owners and stakeholders is a key priority during the business case development.
Now the First Nations lead for project has been engaged, planning can commence as a priority to ensure a meaningful consultation approach for the First Nations Cultural Centres.
The First Nations Cultural Centres will showcase and celebrate the history, stories and truth telling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and build on Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to elevate First Nations arts, and support truth-telling as Queensland progresses its commitment to Treaty.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch MP:
“With Ms Richters appointment by my Department as the First Nations lead to progress the business cases for the First Nations Cultural Centres in Brisbane and Cairns, foundational work can now commence to ensure a meaningful consultation approach in partnership with Traditional Owners groups in Brisbane and in Cairns.
“This Government’s commitment to considering two First Nations Cultural Centres in the state highlights the importance of statewide connections and acknowledges Cairns as a key gateway to the Torres Strait.
“This project will be First Nations-led every step of the way with extensive consultation to ensure the voices of First Nations peoples are heard.
“Our aim is for the centres to be places for truth-telling and knowledge sharing, representing the diverse cultural practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have lived on this country for more than 65,000 years.
“The business cases will consider the role and function of the First Nations Cultural Centres, recommendations on size and scale, and how the First Nations Cultural Centres could connect with other significant sites across Queensland through a hub and spoke model.
“Progressing these business cases will position Queensland into the future, expand opportunities for First Nations arts, and grow economic and cultural tourism outcomes ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
