Candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates pledges $4m to Cairns multicultural centre
Labor candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates has pledged $4m to build a new multipurpose centre in Cairns, should the party remain in power after the October 26 state election.
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Labor candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates has pledged $4m to build a new multipurpose centre in Cairns, should the party remain in power after the October 26 state election.
Mr Bates said the centre, proposed to be built in White Rock, would be used to accommodate a wide range of festivals, language, cultural and dance activities for more than 100 nationalities living in Cairns.
“What we know in Cairns is we have over 100 nationalities as part of the community,” Mr Bates said.
“We have nearly 40 ethnic groups operating in different kinds of ways and they need a space where they can gather and get together and have social inclusion and support their community.”
The project will be jointly funded by Cairns Regional Council, with both parties committing $4m each.
“It’s a $4m investment from the Miles Labor government, they’ve matched the $4m that’s been put on the table from Cairns Regional Council,” he said.
“We should remember this is (council’s) initiative, they’ve come to us and said we want to invest in a new community centre – we agreed with that.”
Cairns Bhutanese Association president Tej Man Monger said he welcomed a multicultural centre in the community.
“I, as an individual and as leader of the Bhutanese community, have been feeling for such a space in Cairns,” Mr Monger said.
“Such a space in Cairns will help us build our spiritual connection to our new home.”
The centre would be used to facilitate language classes, dance, musical, cultural and religious activities.
Mr Bates said the project could commence as early as 2025.
“This would be a council run project, potentially commencing in 2025 and they’re talking about a two year build, so we’ll hope it’s a 2027 build at the latest,” he said.
The centre would include multi-use spaces to cater for up to 200 people, meeting rooms, outdoor areas and a full commercial kitchen.
Mr Mangor said the purpose built facility could also be used as a place of worship for certain groups.
“In the past we tried having some (spiritual) rituals, but we were not able to fully conduct (them) because the rituals involve a little bit of fire work,” he said.
“But if we have a purpose built multicultural centre, I think we will have that possibility and I really look forward to being able to celebrate our festivals and also being able to do some of our rituals which is very important to life to be able to practise our spiritual things.”
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Originally published as Candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates pledges $4m to Cairns multicultural centre
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