Central Darling Shire Council has received a project update on the Baaka Cultural Centre.
The development of the $9.5 million Baaka Cultural Centre at Wilcannia is a regionally significant project. It is being funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
The Centre will be a keeping place for important Baakantji artefacts. It will include a language lab to help to preserve local dialects.
The centre will also provide employment and economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people living in the Far West.
Council General Manager, Greg Hill, said the community was enjoying seeing work progress on this important and long-awaited project. It will be a significant asset for the town benefiting the local economy and providing another reason for people to visit the Shire.
- The Rammed Earth wall construction is due to be completed this week.
- Steel erection for the change rooms and amenities section has commenced.
- Work on the structural steelwork and roof supports will start this week.
- Restoration of stone walls to the rear storage building are due to be completed by the end of May with the new roof installation to commence early June.
- Furniture and internal building fitments are currently being priced.
An art workshop was held with children from the Wilcannia Central School involving the architects to design the artwork that will be laser cut into steel panels and mounted on the building and gates. Their design will be immortalised for as long as the building remains, with the final design being released once the architect completes it.
The Baaka Cultural Centre is very much a community project. It will not be Council owned nor run by Council.
“Council encourages the Wilcannia Community to be involved with the Baaka Cultural Centre both now and into the future,” Mr Hill said.
It is expected that construction intensity will increase through June and July once the roof has been fully constructed.
Work is due to be completed by early October with commissioning and certification to follow.
The centre is being built by David Payne Constructions Dubbo.
This article appeared in Wilcannia News, June 2024.
