• In May 2023, the Queensland Government announced the development of a Business Case for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Cairns, acknowledging the significant opportunity to recognise the contributions of First Nations peoples in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait. There has been no previous work undertaken for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Cairns.
• Initial engagement has occurred with the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Traditional Owners, and a Cairns Traditional Owner Steering Committee has been established (see photo).
• Initial engagement with representatives from the Yirrganydji People has commenced.
• On 8 November 2023 the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Steering Committee held its first meeting in Cairns.
• On 5 February 2024 the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Steering Committee held its second meeting in Cairns to consider site options and functional requirements for the Cairns First Nations Cultural Centre.   
• On 27 May 2024 the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Steering Committee held its third meeting in Cairns.
• Site options for Cairns continue to be investigated.

  

  The Gimuy Walubara Yidinji (Cairns) Traditional Owner Steering Committee

  The Steering Committee has been formed as part of the overall Governance Structure and play an important role in supporting the First Nations Project Lead and Technical Advisors.  Members were appointed by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elders Corporation.

  Front row L-R: Uncle Neville Reys, Uncle Roy Gray, Aunty Josephine Creek, Aunty Professor Henrietta Marie AM
  Back row L- R: Uncle Gudju Gudju Fourmile, Uncle Henry Fourmile, Uncle Gerald Fourmile, Aunty Lillian Fourmile 
  Absent: Aunty Teresa Dewar, Aunty Elaine Parker
   

The business cases will explore options to connect the Brisbane and Cairns based First Nations Cultural Centres with First Nations communities, Indigenous Art Centres and other significant sites and locations throughout Queensland.

This could potentially occur through a ‘hub and spoke’ model and could provide improved economic outcomes and jobs for First Nations peoples and enhanced tourism opportunities in regional areas.

It is anticipated that the key benefits of the First Nations Cultural Centres will be to:

• Create greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures that heals the wounds of the past.
• Provide exposure to new domestic and international art and tourist markets.
• Be large scale authentic and educational Indigenous offerings that present the unique culture.
• Enable collaboration with other jurisdictions.
• Leverage Queensland’s competitive advantage as home to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

The purpose of the detailed business cases is to provide sufficient information to support an informed investment decision.

The business cases will also consider and confirm the service need, governance, operating and delivery models, the role, function and scale of the Centres, potential sites, curatorial frameworks and a cultural permission framework

The detailed business cases will:

• reconfirm the service need and outcomes sought.
• further develop site options, including environmental assessment, to provide a high level of confidence in the project deliverability, cost, functionality, and tenure requirements.
• explore in detail the functions that the Centre will include for the preferred scale option.
• develop a reference design and risk adjusted cost estimates.
• investigate in detail the governance, operating, and delivery models for the Centre.
• include financial and economic analyses.
• describe indicative/potential funding arrangements.
• provide a project implementation plan.
• ensure assurance processes align to applicable assessment frameworks and approvals.
• revisit, update, and expand the case for investment.

The detailed business cases will not consider the detailed design, construction, fit out, and operations of the First Nations Cultural Centre.

The Queensland Government commenced the process to engage a First Nations Project Lead following the commitment to develop a business case for a First Nations Cultural Centre in Cairns, and agreement to progress a First Nations Cultural Centre in Brisbane through the South-East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal.

Following a First Nations-led selection process, Ms Georgina Richters was appointed by the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities, and the Arts as Project Lead to lead the development of the business cases for the First Nations Cultural Centres.

This appointment secured a highly experienced and respected First Nations person as Project Lead, with Ms Richters having significant expertise in delivering complex First Nations projects through her work at national, state, local and community levels for more than 25 years.

The announcement of the First Nations Project Lead can be found at: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98439

The detailed business cases will prioritise engagement with senior Brisbane and Cairns Traditional Owners. The business cases will be informed by evidence and best practice, and will reflect feedback provided by Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and key stakeholders, including First Nations arts and cultural centres across the state, First Nations tourism businesses, Local Government, Government related entities, and Arts Statutory bodies.

Comprehensive targeted market sounding will be undertaken with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, Arts Statutory Bodies in Brisbane, industry representatives from art galleries, performing arts centres, cultural centres, museums, tourism bodies including QTIC, Tourism Australia, TEQ and Tourism Tropical NQ, and arts and cultural representative bodies, as well as all levels of Government and Government related entities.