Roeburne community members are paving the way for a new pattern of Indigenous consultation, playing a central role in the development of Roeburne’s new Communication and Collaboration Centre.

Murdoch researchers Dr Kathryn Trees and Dr Andrew Turk are working on the project, which has become a pilot scheme with the Department of Transport and Rural Solutions.

This Federal government body will work with the group to secure approximately $1.7 million from 16 funding bodies for the building.

This is part of a new strategy to help isolated Indigenous communities.

The community centre will include a telecentre, concert stage, language centre and a radio station.

The building was designed by Fremantle architect Richard Longley.

The group is considering the possibility of including solar roofing such as that being used by the Environmental Technology Centre at Murdoch to keep energy costs to a minimum.

Drs Trees and Turk, who have gradually developed a relationship with the Ngulama and Injibandi people in the region through their native title research, said this project is important because of the community consultation and participation in its inception and design.

“The main aim from the centre is to improve community wellbeing and to generate employment and business opportunities,” said Dr Trees.

“Delivery of State and Federal Government services will be much easier with the telecentre and networking with educational organisations will improve through the Internet.

“The community radio station and music recording facilities will provide a value focus for young people in the area. These resources will be integrated into school curricula to encourage young people to be at school. The major focus will be to involve young people as much as possible.”

Training is an important part of the scheme, with administration and book-keeping skills, radio training and computer skills being offered to members of the community.”

It is hoped that Murdoch will be involved in training people in radio. Mia Lindgren, who teaches radio in MCC, has offered her support.

“We hope the centre will facilitate greater interaction between community elders and youth in the context of cultural development, especially through the development of materials in local languages,” said Dr Trees.

The first phase of the centre will open in August with preliminary services in a temporary building. The completed centre is expected to be functional within 18 months.