An Aboriginal cultural centre will be built on a site between the Swan River, the Derbarl Yerrigan and the Perth Concert Hall to showcase Western Australia's indigenous culture.
The location was chosen by the Whadjuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre Cultural Authority, a body set up to provide advice on the cultural centre and a best possible site.
The centre's chairman, Barry Winmar, said the centre would give Aboriginal people a strong voice and show Aboriginal culture in its best light.
It gives us an opportunity to tell our stories, tell our songlines and showcase what our culture looks like through art, dance and through print and media, Mr Winmar said.
The site was culturally significant as the site of watering holes and tributaries of the river.
There were walking trails along there. We had a strong connection with the water and land, and that was a strong connection, said Winmar.
It was close to where Whadjuk Noongar leader Yellagonga died in 1843.
The Commonwealth government provided $50 million seed funding for the project and the WA government $54 million as part of an election commitment.
Premier Mark McGowan said the cultural centre is due to be finished by 2028 and will likely include major private sector and philanthropic contributions to create a world-standard facility. "We want tourists from Australia and around the world to come and visit and understand and enjoy that experience," McGowan said.
It's a great opportunity for understanding and creation of jobs and also for that sense of identity that will come with it.
We're very excited about this location. Federal Minister and WA MP Patrick Gorman thought it could be WA's answer to Opera House in Sydney.
Mr Gorman said that this is about giving Western Australia something that expresses the full breadth of Aboriginal culture.