Townsville Wulgurukaba traditional owners join fight to save Reef HQ

Traditional owners in Townsville are joining the fight to save Reef HQ, calling on the federal government to pony up the full amount needed to rebuild the facility. Here’s why.

Wulgurukaba representative Brenton Creed says he backs the calls for the Reef HQ facility to be rebuilt, siting the significant opportunities for employment and first nations storytelling.

Traditional owners in Townsville are joining the fight to save Reef HQ, calling on the federal government to pony up the $100m needed to rebuild the deteriorating facility.

The aquarium, once the nation’s top spot for Great Barrier Reef education, has been closed for two years since it fell into disrepair.

Now, the Wulgurukaba traditional owners, who spent over two years working alongside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on the project, are demanding the government step in before it’s too late.

“We were engaged and consulted for over two years to help with co-designing the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium with the vision to tell our story — the story of land and sea management and the significance of the Great Barrier Reef to our culture,” Wulgurukaba rep Brenton Creed said.

The empty site of the proposed new aquarium in Flinders Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

“This is the headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef, the education centre for our country’s greatest natural wonder, and as traditional custodians, we were proud to be part of the journey in its next chapter.”

“Reef HQ Aquarium provides a real opportunity for a truly collaborative cultural experience and employment opportunities for our young people.

“My community is calling on the government to do the right thing and fund the aquarium in full.”

New images of the proposed Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence.

It comes Townsville City councillors last week voted to divert City Deal funding earmarked for a concert hall to the Reef HQ project.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said her conversations with the federal government had been “positive”, and she remained hopeful they would find a solution soon.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith at empty site of the proposed new aquarium in Flinders Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

“There is a global demand for authentic Indigenous tourism experiences, and what we have here is something truly unique in combining culture with the world’s most famous natural wonder,” she said.

“A commitment to this asset will undoubtedly drive global demand for the country’s tourism appeal.”

Originally published as Townsville Wulgurukaba traditional owners join fight to save Reef HQ