5 January 2022
New Ngurra cultural precinct an important milestone for Indigenous recognition
The National Museum of Australia welcomes the federal government’s plan to build a $316.5 million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural precinct on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin which will be the new home for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct will be built in Commonwealth Place, on the primary axis in the Parliamentary Triangle.
Chair of the Council of the National Museum of Australia, the Hon Warwick Smith AO, said: ‘We are delighted to hear the announcement of the new Ngurra centre, which will include a learning and knowledge centre and a national resting place to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestral remains.
‘This is the result of hard work undertaken by AIATSIS over many years and builds on the recommendations of the 2014 National Resting Place Consultation Report,’ Mr Smith said.
The National Museum has long supported the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural centre and will assist with the project as it progresses.
An architectural design competition will be run in 2022 to develop an iconic design suitable for the location and which reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ aspirations, achievements and deep connection to Country.
Media contact: Diana Streak 02 6208 5091 | 0409 888 976 or media@nma.gov.au