Planned over the last two years, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre chair Jeanette Crew said contractors are ‘‘foaming at the mouth’’ to start work as soon as the necessary approvals are finalised.
The development application for the project is currently on public exhibition.
The new outdoor covered area will be installed on the island which sits in the middle of the Brown Park lagoon, where a fish park is also being developed.
A curved eco board wall will be shaped to represent a coolamon, or bark bowl, and will surround a fire pit.
The structure will be complemented by the propagation of culturally significant plants, and seating.
Mrs Crew said it will serve as an educational facility, particularly on Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa culture, and also a social meeting place.
‘‘It will be an area where we can teach our environmental and cultural values,’’ she said.
‘‘We can host weaving workshops there, and it will just be a nice place to have a picnic.
‘‘Traditionally this is how weaving would be done. The women would sit around a fire to weave, and share their stories.
‘‘The structure will be built using the same materials that have been used to make the casting decks at the park.
‘‘And we have funding already for propagation projects to landscape the island.
‘‘We’ll then look at further planting for behind the lagoon (along the fence it shares with Deniliquin TAFE) so we can teach people out these culturally significant plants, including medicine plants.’’
Yarkuwa general manager David Crew said the outdoor learning centre is supported by the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund, and is an extension of the lagoon restoration works being carried out by the Deniliquin Kolety Lagoon Landcare Group.
The landcare group, which until last year was referred to as the restoration committee, includes representatives for a variety of partners — Yarkuwa, Edward Wakool Angling Association, Edward River Council, Deniliquin High School, Murray Local Land Services and Ricegrowers Association of Australia.
Mr Crew said as the restoration project continues to grow, it is hoped primary schools can become more involved.
‘‘This will be a great asset for our community, in terms of tourism as well as culturally and socially,’’ Mr Crew said.
‘‘We are very excited and hope to see the work begin soon.’’
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