Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre delays

The City's response to Fremantle Herald about Aboriginal Cultural and Visitor Centre delays, 29.5.24

Question: Has the building of the Centre been delayed? - If so, why was the building delayed? 
Answer: In December 2021 Council endorsed a budget allocation of $12.5m for the Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre.
In late 2022 a construction tender was released.

Due to ongoing high and rising inflation, building costs and interest rates coupled with a tight labour market, the preferred tender submission was more than $6m higher than the Council-endorsed budget.

As a result the tender was unable to be awarded.
 
Question: I've chatted to a member of the Cockburn Indigenous community who says she worries the centre is "never going to be built". Just wanted to confirm this is not the case. 
Answer: Since February 2023, the City has identified savings in construction costs without compromising the facility’s functionality and design, focusing mainly on building substructure and minor redesign opportunities.

These alternations have been endorsed by the Cockburn Aboriginal Reference Group which has been involved with the project since its inception.
An allocation has been included in the draft 2024-25 Annual Municipal Budget to finalise the Centre’s design and commence construction.

The draft 2024-25 Annual Municipal Budget will be considered by Cockburn Council at its Special Council Meeting on 25 June.