New details on Qld’s scrapped First Nations cultural centres revealed
A vibrant new arts and cultural space could have transformed Cairns’ CBD pumping more than $165m into the region while creating new jobs and diversifying the region’s tourism sector only to be scrapped by the state government in July.
A vibrant new arts and cultural space could have transformed Cairns’ CBD pumping around $165m into the region while creating new jobs and diversifying the city’s tourism sector, only to be scrapped by the state government in July.
The Cairns Post can exclusively reveal the northern end of Fogarty Park had firmed as the preferred location for a First Nations cultural centre last year, in what would have become the heartbeat of the city’s arts precinct.
The site, located near the Cairns Art Gallery, the former Courthouse Hotel and the old Mulgrave Shire Council building, reflected former mayor Bob Manning’s grand vision for the city with heritage-listed buildings complimented by contemporary architecture.
It is understood that multiple state government departments had been in discussion with Cairns Regional Council and Ports North regarding the project early last year.
The council prepared a concept design for the site and felt that the area was highly suitable for the centre.
Negotiations formed part of a broader $450m plan to build two cultural centres in Queensland, with a $290m facility in the state’s capital and the second in the Far North.
During estimates this week, Director-General of the Department of Education, Sharon Schimming, was asked what consultation was undertaken prior to announcing that the cultural centres would not be going ahead.
In response, Ms Schimming said First Nations stakeholders weren’t consulted with the final call made ahead of the state budget in June.
“I believe the decision was part of the budget process,” Ms Schimming said.
“Decision making is very different to consultation. There was consultation about the business case and then the budget decision was taken.”
Arts minister John Paul Langbroek said Labor’s failure to advance the project prior to last year’s state election had led to its demise.
“The business case was completed in August 2024 before the election,” Mr Langbroek said.
“It’s something that the previous government could have made an announcement on in the lead up to the election.
“These First Nations cultural centres have been on the agenda since 1999. So, looking back, (former premier) Peter Beattie first promoted the idea of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural centre.
“I’ve heard about it many times since I’ve been in the parliament, including as shadow minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships.”
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said he took two Labor ministers to inspect the Esplanade site while serving as the council’s deputy mayor.
“My community deserves real support, not the symbolic, empty, and unfunded promises they had under Labor,” Mr James said.
“The Crisafulli Government is supporting a range of initiatives that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, languages, and creative practices across the arts sectors to provide long-term social, cultural and economic benefits.”
It is understood $165m would have covered construction of the centre in Cairns with further work to have been undertaken on the design.
The project has long been championed by respected Yidinji elder, Professor Henrietta Marrie.
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Originally published as New details on Qld’s scrapped First Nations cultural centres revealed
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