Client

Baaka Cultural Centre Aboriginal Corporation

Services provided

Project and contract management

Background

The Baaka Cultural Centre breathes new life into the former abandoned Knox and Downs building in the centre of Wilcannia. The original building was built in 1890 as the town’s general store before it was severely damaged by fire in 2002. The location was a meeting place for both European and Aboriginal people of the region and maintains significant spiritual and historical significance.

Central Darling Shire Council and the Baaka Cultural Centre Aboriginal Corporation engaged NSW Public Works (NSWPW) to manage the design and construction of the new centre, which is set to become a vibrant hub for art, culture and tourism in Wilcannia.

Our role

NSWPW provided full project management services from conception to completion, encompassing design and construction. We conducted extensive community consultation, selected design consultants, and delivered a building design that highlighted Indigenous culture and heritage.

During construction, community-driven employment programs promoted local upskilling and training opportunities.

The centre features a unique rammed earth design constructed from locally sourced materials. This approach also provided upskilling for subcontractors and trainees in the specialised construction method.

Procurement processes were carefully managed, employing competitive pricing strategies to reduce costs. Additional support, including land acquisition and legal services, were also provided.

NSWPW’s strong regional presence enabled rapid response to challenges and helped maintain strong partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including Commonwealth and state governments, local government and community leaders.

Outcomes

The Baaka Cultural Centre, completed in March 2025, was successfully delivered on budget and on time. To tackle funding limitations, significant cost savings were achieved by using locally sourced materials and labour, while maintaining high construction quality.

Locally sourced construction material also helped integrate the new design into the existing sandstone architecture. The heritage elements were complemented with the unique rammed earth design feature.

Time efficiencies were achieved by managing the design and construction of an upgraded power network, a task initially outside the project scope.

The new centre will raise awareness of the culture and traditions of the Barkintji people of the Darling River region and support cultural initiatives in the wider community. It will serve as an art and culture hub with a keeping place for local art, language and artefacts. Offering space for artists to create and display their works, it will also provide arts training and education.