CONSTRUCTION of a multi-million dollar Aboriginal Interpretive Centre in Armadale will start in the coming months, celebrating the strong traditional presence of the Nyoongar people in the region. Planning and Infrastructure Minister and Armadale MLA, Alannah MacTiernan, said stage one of the project, which will cost $1.8 million, would provide a public outdoor amphitheatre, interpretive trails including bush tucker and medicine plantings, and a canopy of punched metal depicting Nyoongar artworks. Ms MacTiernan said future stages would provide for a cafeteria and main display building. A design by Perth-based Gresley Abas Architects has been chosen for the centre. Philip Gresley was previously involved in the development of the award winning Aboriginal interpretive/visitor centre, The Kodja Place, in Kojonup. The development of the centre is in line with the state government’s key priority of accelerating the development of Aboriginal tourism. As outlined in its five-year Strategic Plan, released last week, Tourism WA will aim to double the current number of Aboriginal tourism experiences in WA by 2013.