Construction of $3.6m North Stradbroke Island cultural learning space delayed

Construction of a long-awaited North Stradbroke Island tourism project has suffered a delay, with calls to boost visitor numbers to the island after sandmining was forced to end late last year.

ONE of North Stradbroke Island’s long-awaited tourism projects has suffered a delay amid a massive push to boost visitor numbers after sandmining was forced to end late last year. Construction on Yalingbila Bibula, a cultural learning space featuring a rare whale skeleton, was touted to begin by the end of 2019.

However it’s now expected to begin mid this year.

The $3.6 million project is being led by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) with the support of the State Government.

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An Artist’s impression of the whale interpretative centre, Yalingbila Bibula.

Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson claimed the sculpture was one of a long list of delayed projects that were promised to residents.

“Labor must now fast-track all their promised projects, including an upgrade of Dunwich Harbour,” he said.

“The rushed end of sandmining without a plan for how tourism will replace it has been a disaster that hurts thousands of locals now and into the long-term future.”

An Artist’s impression of the whale interpretative centre, Yalingbila Bibula.

The island, also known as Minjerribah, has been transitioning away from sandmining since 2016 when the Palaszczuk Government passed laws heralding the end of the industry.

It officially ended on December 31 last year.

Twenty-three tourism projects have since been spruiked for the island with six already completed.

Yalingbila Bibula will showcase a 15m humpback whale skeleton which will sit within a cultural facility at Point Lookout, telling the story of the island’s traditional owners and their connection to the animal.

According to both QYAC and the Government’s websites, construction was planned to begin in late 2019.

However a tender for the handling of the bones was only awarded last month, while a tender for the construction of the facility won’t close until next month.

Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation CEO Cameron Costello. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

QYAC CEO Cameron Costello conceded the project had been slowed, with several factors impacting it.

“The main issue that has slowed us slightly has been resolving the way the whale skeleton would be ‘degreased’, articulated (displayed) and protected and this needed to be resolved before the tender request for the shelter structure could be issued,” he said.

“This is an exciting project that seems to be misunderstood.

“QYAC does not accept any criticism of project timing.

“The fact is that the sky has not fallen in.

“The ferries are full and tourism is booming.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the Government wanted to see new tourism infrastructure on the island as soon as possible.

The project remains on track to open in 2021.