Mural to bring new Chinatown laneway to life

Short Street – Carnarvon Street laneway to open to community
Two local Aboriginal artists to paint public art mural
Project sponsored by INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG

A new public laneway is set to open near the intersection of Carnarvon Street and Short Street in Broome and will feature murals created by two Aboriginal artists, thanks to a partnership between INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG, Paspaley Plaza and the Chinatown Revitalisation Project.

To be named ‘Tanaka Lane’, the existing laneway is currently closed but will be opened to the community and feature a mural by award-winning artist and Chinatown gallery owner, June Djiagween, and a larger mural by fellow artist Herbie Marshall whose works grace walls in Fremantle and Mosman Park in Perth.

The mural project has been made possible thanks to a grant from INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG, while laneway owner Paspaley Plaza will carry out work including upgrading the pavement, constructing a new gateway, adding plants and soft landscaping, and opening the laneway for public access during the day.

The murals will take shape between Thursday 28 March and Saturday 30 March from 2pm to 5pm each day, and the community is invited to come and watch the artists as they work.

Laneways provide a shady retreat from Chinatown’s main streets and are a natural avenue for locals and visitors to explore and wander, as they create a sense of discovery and intrigue.

This laneway project is one of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project sub-projects aligned with the development of a Laneway Enhancement Strategy to make better use of these features within the precinct.

INPEX Acting Director, Corporate Coordination, Bill Townsend, said the INPEX-led Ichthys LNG was proud to support initiatives such as the Chinatown Revitalisation Project given the great importance of this historic area to Broome and the opportunity to showcase the fantastic talents of local Kimberley artists.

To keep up to date on construction and festival announcements, follow the Broome Chinatown Revitalisation Project on social media and join the eNewsletter mailing list via www.chinatownbroome.com.au.

Image Caption: Chinatown Investment and Development Coordinator, Talei Howell-Price; External Affairs Manager, INPEX, John Williams; artists June Djiagween and Herbie Marshall; Senior External Affairs Advisor, INPEX, Maryam Bell; Senior CSR Advisor, INPEX, Yuko Tokunaga; and Paspaley Plaza Centre Manager, Tamyla Strahan.

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About the Broome Chinatown Revitalisation Project

The $12.7 million Broome Chinatown Revitalisation Project is being delivered in partnership by the State Government and the Shire of Broome, with $10 million funding from Royalties for Regions, $2 million from the Shire of Broome, and $700,000 from Tourism WA.

The project includes 10 sub-projects all designed to reinforce Chinatown’s position as the ‘Heart and Soul’ of Broome – the historic, cultural and hospitality centre of our town.

These sub-projects include feasibility studies for larger, potentially transformational projects, as well as design and construction of significant street and landscape upgrades to Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace to make the precinct more attractive and encourage activity.

Implementation of the projects and oversight of the feasibility studies is being undertaken jointly by the Shire of Broome, Kimberley Development Commission and LandCorp. A Community and Stakeholder Reference Group has been established by the Shire and consultation with the wider community and key stakeholders will continue throughout the process.