Plans filed for Stutchbury-designed Wiradjuri Tourism Centre in New South Wales

A development application has been filed for the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre in Dubbo, New South Wales, with plans featuring a Yarning Circle building, a bush food garden and an outdoor performance space.

The $14 million proposal has been lodged with Dubbo Regional Council. The Wiradjuri Tourism Centre would be sited at 2 Coronation Drive, within Elizabeth Park. The main architectural feature of the proposal is a central building called the Yarning Circle, which comprises a museum, and educational and event spaces.

As the name suggests, the Yarning Circle building is circular in form. Designed by Peter Stutchbury Architecture with Yerrabingin, the facility aims to provide a space for healing, storytelling, communication, visitation and respect. The circularity of the building symbolises "occupation and infinity" in reference to First Nations culture and history.

"The budget drives our elemental approach to the architecture - the desire to create a place to celebrate establishes our methodology," said Peter Stutchbury Architecture in a design statement. "We consider the building as a collection of rooms, subdivided by occupations. The room is a place on the land, it protects and allows culture to regroup, to rekindle what is real.

"Communication around the room is efficient, branching off the central veranda. The opening to the sky is like a sundial, shifting light and shade around the internal face of the building. Planning is direct and coherent, accessible to external servicing as required or orientated to courtyards; weather is considered as a partner to the building's energy. This project goes beyond a brief, it is a story of culture, respect and healing. An ancient footprint with a beating heart."

In its current condition, the site consists of turf with some exotic tree species. A recently completed adventure play space and upgraded landscape space with yarning circle is located adjacent. Under the plans, endemic plant species will be re-introduced to encompass and weave throughout the building, including a central courtyard. Where possible, natural stone materials sourced locally will be used for the outdoor environment.

A courtyard called the Hearth will lie at the centre of the ring-shaped Yarning Circle building. Features of the Hearth include a fire pit, a reflective water feature, a rock crossing and seating.

External to the Yarning Circle building, outdoor rooms have been proposed to serve as performance, reflection and ceremonial spaces. Among these outdoor rooms is the Holding Place building, a shaded building with seating for private contemplation and cultural gatherings. Another of these rooms, the Outdoor Gallery and Performance space, is open to the elements and less formal than the Holding Place.

A bush food garden accommodating edible and medicinal plants would also be established within the landscape.

Peter Stutchbury Architecture was awarded the project in 2021. The development application is on exhibition until 9 May 2024.