COCKBURN’S long-planned Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre has reached the end of its design stage, but the hunt for outside money to actually build it remains the biggest hurdle.

Councillors noted completion of the detailed design at Tuesday night’s council meeting, approving the item without debate while endorsing further lobbying of governments and potential sponsors.

The report said the project had been a priority for years, but funding remained uncertain, with “the risk in relation to achieving funding for the ACVC through advocacy” continuing to be “a significant challenge.”

• The design plans for Cockburn’s proposed Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre.

Since 2021 the city has been pitching the project widely, meeting with ministers, MPs and corporate targets, but “there has been some interest in funding specific community program delivery in the short-term, but no capital investment.”

Attempts to secure grant money have also come up short, with applications to the Thriving Suburbs Fund and Housing Support Program “unfortunately” unsuccessful.

The funding drought has had real consequences, with the report noting “the lack of capital investment had stalled the draw-down of a $1.5 million grant from Lotterywest COVID recovery funding awarded in 2021,” which was ultimately closed out when construction milestones were not met.

Design work on the centre was completed during the 2024-25 financial year, with an estimate placing the project cost at $18.1 million.

City officers said the completed plans would strengthen the case for funding, noting that “having completed the investment in the detail design strengthens the ability to advocate for funding support.”

While the search for money continues, councillors also approved $20,000 to work with the Aboriginal Reference Group on ways to use existing city facilities for cultural outcomes that could feed into the 2026 Reconciliation Action Plan.