Chinatown Cultural Centre investigation underway

Written on the 12 October 2016

Work is set to begin on investigating the feasibility of an iconic cultural interpretive centre in Broome as part of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project.

The $12.6 million Chinatown Revitalisation Project, made possible by $10 million through Royalties for Regions Regional Growth Plan initiative, $2 million from the Shire of Broome and $600,000 from Tourism WA, is being jointly delivered by the Shire, Kimberley Development Commission and LandCorp to increase the level of activity in Chinatown through major improvements to street, landscape, facilities and laneways over the next two years, and conduct feasibility studies on longterm transformation projects including the cultural interpretive centre.

Developing a cultural centre has been identified as having the potential to transform Chinatown, and a Cultural Centre Working Group has been established to be chaired by Nyamba Buru Yawuru CEO Peter Yu.

The Working Group will create a framework for engaging various cultural, community and other interests in developing a business case for a cultural centre.

Mr Yu said the Working Group would investigate the feasibility of the centre, including the activities and displays to be presented, a site selection study, future governance structure and commercial analysis through to a schematic design.

"Yawuru has a shared vision for a cultural and interpretive centre presenting the full diversity and depth of all Broome and the region's art, culture and history in an iconic setting in Chinatown," Mr Yu said.

"Tourism research shows that visitors to Broome and the region are looking for a cultural experience which is currently hard to find.

"This is an incredible opportunity to investigate the development of a truly iconic national attraction, and critically important to this will be the community buy-in and ownership over the long term."

Broome Shire President Ron Johnston said activity on the Chinatown Revitalisation Project was ramping up and he was delighted Mr Yu was chairing the Cultural Centre Working Group.

"Peter brings a wealth of experience to the role, having a long career in culture and the arts, having occupied senior positions at both the State and National levels and more recently as a Council Member of the National Museum of Australia, as well as having strong personal, historical and cultural connections to Chinatown and the broader region," Cr Johnston said.