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LEGACY PROJECTS
Three of the four legacy projects funded by the Federal Government as part of $5,455,000 funding from the Community Development Grants Program will be officially opened during the Expo.
The $1.2 million Reconciliation Rocks Precinct Development, the site of Australia’s first recorded act of reconciliation, will be opened on June 11 along with the $575,000 Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre and $1.9 million Botanic Gardens Redevelopment on June 12.
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The Reconciliation Rocks Precinct includes landscaping, design, interpretation, and artistic installations at the Reconciliation Rocks precinct in Cooktown. The Reconciliation Rocks area near the Endeavour River is where the first recorded reconciliation occurred between Captain Cook and local Bama in 1770. This is a place of historical and spiritual significance as well as a place of national significance in Australia’s contemporary story of reconciliation.
The Botanic Gardens Development features a range of upgrades to ensure the longevity of this historical site. These upgrades include new footpaths, improvement of accessibility infrastructure, increased parking, picnic and barbeque facilities and additional interpretive signage.
The redevelopment of the Cooktown Boathouse to the Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre contributes to the on-going revitalisation of Cooktown and the advancement of the region’s unique shared cultural history. The redevelopment has provided an architecturally designed space to house costumes and story of the annual reenactment of Cook’s landing in 1770, as well as original murals and artworks, artefacts, dioramas and nautical and other displays, including a model Endeavour.
The fourth legacy project, the $1.7 million Gamaay Dreaming Track, is still under construction and will be officially opened later in 2021. The Gamaay Dreaming Track has been partly established but requires a formed access road and essential facilities and infrastructure including a tour desk to ensure its success into the future.
