The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is pleased that the Townsville Cultural Centre has opened for business this week.

The ILC assisted in the establishment of the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre.

ILC Chairperson, Shirley McPherson, said “The ILC is very pleased to involved with this project. It will deliver a great range of benefits to many Indigenous people in the Townsville region. Given that the Centre represents Indigenous cultures stretching from Sarina in the South, North to South Mission Beach, East to the Palm Island Group and West to Richmond, the centre is an important cultural and social initiative. The Indigenous communities of Townsville have worked hard over many years to get the centre up and running, and they are to be congratulated on their achievement. On behalf of the Indigenous Land Corporation, I wish them every success.”

The Indigenous Land Corporation has contributed over $250,000 for refurbishments of the building.

The Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander community of Townville has sought to establish a cultural centre for over fourteen years.

Considerable planning had been put into building plans and interpretive designs for a site, and in 2002 the Reef HQ Complex office block and tourist complex in the heart of Townsville’s main tourist precinct was purchased.

The great advantage of this site is that the office complex generates rental income which providing a level of financial security probably unmatched by any other Cultural Centre in the country.

In additional to interpretive areas, the centre includes a retail area, space for artists, and a caf . A part time dance troupe will perform in the common area and ticketed performances in the Omnimax theatre that forms part of the complex.

Enquiries re the ILC, call Peter Keough, (08) 8100 7106, 0409 090 852

ILC supported Cultural Centre opens for business in Townsville