State steps up plans for island cultural centre despite asbestos, radiation, archaeological finds

Plans have been stepped up to super-size a beachfront cultural centre on North Stradbroke Island, despite asbestos and radiation contamination on the land.

Cox Architecture produced this impression of the cultural hall. Picture: Cox Architects

The State Government has beefed up plans for a beachfront arts and cultural centre on Minjerribah North Stradbroke Island, despite the archaeological site having asbestos and radiation contamination.

State Planning Minister Steven Miles revealed the new plans late last month when he updated the scope for a larger cultural and arts complex to be built on Ballow Rd, Dunwich, once barracks for sand mining giant Sibelco.

The new plans will include community centres, galleries, libraries and meeting halls, with a “green’’ rooftop along with a cafe, outdoor seating, a permanent gallery area and dance circle.

Under the expanded designs the site, which is within walking distance of the car barge and ferry terminal, will become a jewel in the island’s crown and a centrepiece for cultural tourism and education on the island.

An artist’s image from 2019 of previous plans for the centre, which will inclue a dancing circle. Picture: Cox Architecture

The site is also less than 1km from the island’s latest popular venue, the Straddie Brewing Co, which opened in October.

The beachfront also has historical, archaeological and cultural significance, with 10 cultural heritage artefacts uncovered within 500m of the property boundary.

In the amended ministerial designation, published on March 31, Mr Miles added conditions for the project including the need for more testing to ensure radiation and asbestos levels complied with the Environmental Protection Act.

An investigation by Easterly Point Environmental showed preliminary radiological tests by Health Support Queensland indicated elevated levels of radiation, dating back to when the site was used to dump radioactive tailings from nearby mining activities in the 1980s.

Further site investigations also identified asbestos on the ground surface.

Easterly Point said despite the asbestos and radiation, the land could be made suitable for the centre.

But it recommended investigating whether the former barracks site should be listed on the state’s Environmental Management Register or the Contaminated Land Register.

An aerial view of the site and Dunwich, also called Gumpi. Picture: from the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation.

“The likely remedial strategy to fulfil the project requirements, including managing costs, is considered to be primarily onsite containment, including of heavy mineral sand residues and materials containing asbestos, with limited offsite disposal,” the Easterly Point report said.

“Assuming this strategy is adopted, long-term ongoing management will be required, either as an environmental management plan, if it is determined that the site does not require listing on the EMR, or through a site management plan if the site is listed.

“The later approach will require the engagement of a contaminated land auditor and the development of a contaminated land investigation document.”

Plans for Dunwich include walking paths from Adams Beach to the cultural centre and through to the ferry terminal and up to the shops in Dunwich.

Other conditions listed in the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation amendment included ensuring a qualified contractor removed all asbestos before site works started.

According to a published timeline, those works were due to start in December last year.

There was a June deadline for structural works, with the entire project due for completion in January 2024.

The updated plans followed a decision to double the amount of funding for the project from $4.5 million to $9 million at the last state Budget.

The latest ministerial designation update also included a name change, with the previous planned one-storey Minjerribah Quandamooka Arts Museum Performance Institute renamed the Minjerribah Quandamooka Arts and Culture Centre.