Plans lodged for $4m Chinese cultural centre
DETAILED designs have been completed for a $4 million Chinese heritage and cultural centre at Edge Hill honouring the contributions of generations of migrants.
Cairns and District Chinese Association vice president Nathan Lee Long said the concept art had been lodged with Cairns Regional Council in the hope of starting construction next year.
The organisation, which spearheads the Chinese New Year celebrations in Cairns, initially planned to build the centre on land it owns in Arthur St in Manunda.
“Lodging those plans kickstarted the council’s interest in the centre,” Mr Lee Long explained.
“Following that, they made us aware of the site on Greenslopes St, across from the Chinese Friendship Garden.
“Since then we’ve had a temporary access permit as well as an infrastructure facilities grant to undertake the masterplanning.”
The design has been based on traditional and contemporary Chinese architecture, as well as the buildings that once lined the historic Chinatown on Sachs St, now Grafton St in the Cairns CBD.
“It’s going to give the Cairns Chinese community a home for all their celebrations, but especially during Chinese New Year,” Mr Lee Long said.
“The entry and forecourt is a celebration space, as well as throughout the garden and centre. The link with the Chinese Friendship Garden is also very important – having that connectivity is a big thing.
“It will also be made for hire and open to other groups.”
The facility will feature a museum to display the Lit Sung Goong Temple collection – more than 240 artefacts taken from the Chinese temple which operated in Cairns between 1886 and 1964 – as well as travelling exhibitions.
Mr Lee Long said the next step was to secure funding.
“We currently have some existing funds held by the association, and we will be looking to sell the other block of land on Arthur St,” he said.
“We’re also looking at grant funding from all levels of government, as well as personal donations from those interested in the project.”