Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says the announcement means the project is now fully funded.

“This is a great day for Port Stephens, the Anna Bay community, the Worimi Conservation Lands and our local tourism operators,” Mayor Palmer said.

“The Birubi Information Centre started as an idea to provide better access to the incredible Worimi Conservation Lands and the sand dunes of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council. It’s also a way to improve the experience of locals and visitors, and protect the cultural significance of this place.

“This $4 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund means the project is now fully funded. It complements the NSW Government’s $5.4 million investment and Council’s investment of $2 million to date.

“The Birubi Information Centre will be a game-changer for Port Stephens. By creating a new gateway to the Worimi Conservation Lands, we’ll improve the visitor experience and allow our entire community to enjoy the beauty of this incredible place in a safe and sustainable way.

“This project is a true partnership with Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management, Crown Lands and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. I want to thank our partners for helping to make this vision a reality.

“A huge thank you also to the Australian Government and the NSW Government for investing in our vision for the future of Birubi Point Aboriginal Place,” he said.

Detailed designs are underway and it’s estimated the project will go to tender in the coming months, with construction scheduled for 2022.

For more information about the project, visit portstephens.nsw.gov.au/services/projects/2021-2022/birubi-information-centre