Priority Projects Update
Twelve months ago, we announced our Five Priority Projects at a wonderful event hosted by our patron Janet Holmes á Court: Wadjemup Conservation Centre; Bickley Military Heritage Precinct; Boodja Kaartdijin; Woodlands Restoration and Expansion; and Bidi Walk Trail Expansion.
The Rottnest Foundation, working closely with the RIA are dedicated to bringing these projects to life, and we are excited to share some key updates:
Wadjemup Conservation Centre
As a major building project, the Conservation Centre must pass through several planning stages with the RIA, including stringent location assessments, Concept Design and Detailed Design. Each stage is critical to ensuring an engaging, sustainable and environmentally friendly project which can be accurately costed and constructed.
Location assessments are currently ongoing, and the Rottnest Foundation Board has provided input and feedback regarding potential sites for the Centre, which meet various requirements including size, distance from Settlement and accessibility.
In a key development, our CEO, Sally Hollis was invited to join the Wadjemup Conservation Centre Project Stakeholder Group, to work with the RIA and the appointed consultant architect to progress with the Concept Design stage of this project. The Concept Design phase will outline the guiding principles and architecture of the Conservation Centre and will provide the Rottnest Foundation with inspirational imagery that can be presented to potential corporate and philanthropic sponsors.
In preparation for her involvement in the Conservation Centre project, Sally took time away during her recent trip to Europe to visit the University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge and the Croatian Coral Centre in Zlarin.
The University Museum of Zoology is part of the University of Cambridge. The museum is housed in the David Attenborough Building alongside the Cambridge Conservation Initiative. It is home to extensive collections of zoological specimens, and its breathtaking displays aim to engage the public in the ‘wonders of animal diversity’ and expand the museums’ learning and research programmes. The Croation Coral Centre is a prime example of the use of modern and traditional techniques to interpret local history, display the importance of preservation and foster sustainable development. These visits proved both inspirational and motivational, giving the Foundation ideas for best practice inclusions that can be shared during both the Concept and Design Phases of the project.
Boodja Kaartdijin
In August, Yvonne Parnell of the Rottnest Foundation Board was invited by the RIA to attend a Yarning Session on the island. Hosted by the RIA and the appointed landscape designers, the Session comprised a tour of the 7 Boodja Kaartdijin sites and the concept designs for each. It was an insightful session and important in building the Rottnest Foundation’s involvement in this culturally significant project.
The full Board is looking forward to receiving a presentation on the proposed Boodja Kaartdijin locations and concepts from the RIA before the end of the year.