Chinese Culture and Heritage Centre Update

On Lunar New Year Day, we reached the significant milestone of officially turning the first sod for Queensland’s first Chinese Culture and Heritage Centre. This project has been 40 years in the making and would not be possible today without the foresight the founding, past and current committee members along with generous support from the Queensland State Government.

CADCAI are proudly the recipients of $2.7m grant funding from the Crisafulli Government that has enabled construction to commence for the long-held vision of CADCAI. We were joined my members of the government including Minister for Multiculturism, Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, Member for Mulgrave, Terry James MP and Member for Barron River, Bree James along with Architect, Roger Mainwood and Builder, Beau Moriarty to turn the first sod.

Late last year the project went to tender for construction prices from multiple local building contractors. The committee with the assistance of our project consultants reviewed the tenders to confirm the best value for money and selected My Build Group as the successful builder. Site preparation works commenced in January this year. We have also signed and commenced the 30-year trustee lease with Cairns Regional Council which secures CADCAI’s long-term tenure of the land. As the project progresses, we will share further updates from the site.

It should be noted that the project is an active building site and cannot be entered. Members are welcome to drive past the site, however site fencing might obstruct seeing activity until we see the walls and roof constructed. We will share photos when we can.

The next phase of planning for the Lit Sung Goong Collection Museum exhibition is underway by the CADCAI Heritage team with professional assistance from consultants and researchers and the museum development officer funding by the State Government and Cairns Regional Council.

This is a significant time for CADCAI, and I would like to acknowledge the many people that have been involved to this point. From committee members, donors, community volunteers to our consultants and so on. There are too many individuals to note, to everyone who has play a role please know that everyone member of our community says, “Thank You!”