Community feedback has helped shape the official name of Maclean’s new regional arts centre, with Clarence Valley Council unanimously adopting Biirrinba Regional Arts Centre for the Maclean Community Precinct building.
Clarence Valley residents were invited to suggest names for the facility through the Clarence Conversations website, resulting in 62 submissions.
The consultation showed strong community support for a name that reflects Aboriginal culture and the Clarence River, with many submissions proposing Biirrinba, the Yaegl word for the Clarence River.
The use of Aboriginal language in the facility’s name followed consultation with Yaegl Traditional Owners, Yaegl Elders, Biirrinba Coastal Emus Elders, Birrigan Gargle and the Yaegl Local Aboriginal Land Council, which provided cultural authority for its inclusion.
Council thanked the community for its contributions throughout the naming process and acknowledged the many suggestions recognising Maclean’s Scottish heritage and significant local historical figures. Those ideas will be considered in future placemaking initiatives within the precinct.
The Biirrinba Regional Arts Centre is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
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