The State Government has appointed three eminent Australians to lead an urgent review of the Centre for First Nations Cultures planned for Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen, after the government was advised current plans will fail to deliver a centre of international significance as originally envisaged.
The State Government has been advised by the project’s managing contractor that the current plans for the centre will now cost $250 million to deliver, $50 million more than budgeted.
Experts from the professional services team led by Woods Bagot and architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro have advised the government that delivering the centre within its existing budget would require a significant reduction in scope, which would deliver a centre of local state-level standard.
After receiving this advice, the State Government has decided to launch an urgent review to examine how best to deliver the centre as a place of international significance, to celebrate all forms of First Nations cultural life.
The government believes the centre should hold a landmark position in Australian arts and cultural tourism, driving greater visitation and economic benefit, while also delivering value for money for taxpayers.
The review will be conducted by Ken Wyatt, AM, Bob Carr and Carolyn Hewson AO, who will report back to the government as soon as possible.
Mr Wyatt served as Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Morrison government, the first Indigenous person to hold the position.
Mr Carr is a former New South Wales Premier, Arts Minister, Senator and Foreign Affairs Minister.
Ms Hewson is a former investment banker with over 35 years' experience in the finance sector. A former director of BHP, she currently serves on the boards of the Reserve Bank of Australia and Infrastructure SA.
Early remedial and foundational works have been undertaken on the site of the centre at Lot Fourteen, however further progress on site is on hold, pending the outcome of the review.
The vision is for Lot Fourteen to host Australia’s premier Aboriginal arts and cultural centre, honouring more than 60,000 years of continuous First Nations cultures across the country.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
We only get one chance to get this right.
Put simply, it doesn’t make sense to invest $200 million of taxpayers’ money for a sub-standard outcome which will fail to deliver a centre of international significance.
I believe South Australians are tired of politicians taking the easy option today and leaving future generations to deal with the consequences later on.
I am determined to ensure this is a project which delivers for our state for the long term, both culturally and economically.
I am confident Ken Wyatt, Bob Carr and Carolyn Hewson will chart a path to ensure the centre is a landmark befitting the rich cultural history of our First Nations people.
Attributable to Kyam Maher
The Centre for First Nations Cultures at Lot Fourteen is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create an internationally significant landmark to celebrate First Nations peoples.
Properly honouring and paying respect to the oldest living culture on the planet is something we have a duty to get right.
Attributable to Andrea Michaels
We want the Centre for First Nations Cultures at Lot Fourteen to hold a landmark position in First Nations arts and culture in Australia and to be a place for events, music, exhibitions, festivals, performances, and creative gatherings of every kind.
We would be doing future generations a disservice if we settled for a sub-standard outcome.
