A ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction by St Hilliers Contracting of the $24 million National Centre for Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) at Redfern was held on Monday 18 August 2008.

The Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, turned the soil at the former Redfern Public School watched by the NSW Minister for Planning, Redfern Waterloo and the Arts, Frank Sartor, the local member and NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Kenneally and the Chairperson of the Indigenous Land Corporation, Shirley McPherson.

The Australian Government, through the Indigenous Land Corporation, bought the school site from the NSW Education Department in October 2006.  The NIDC project was approved by the NSW Department of Planning in October 2007.

The NIDC will play an important role in assisting young Indigenous people to excel in their chosen field as well as providing positive role models and developing future leaders. 

Ms Macklin said that: "The NIDC will be a fantastic community resource and will provide new education and employment pathways for young Indigenous people in Redern and Sydney. Sport, arts, leadership and specialised education programs can all have a powerful role in expanding the life chances for young Indigenous people."

A number of existing programs would be accommodated at the NIDC including the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Association, which runs a number of sporting and life development programs for Indigenous people encouraging healthy lifestyles through sport and education; the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, which provides oportunities for Indigenous youth to become involved in rugby union, netball and golf; and the Exodus Foundation, which will establish a tutorial centre for children aged 10-14 years.

The NIDC project involves the redevelopment of the Redfern Public School site where St Hilliers will construct a new three level sporting complex comprising basketball court, gymnasium, a 25 metre heated swimming pool and a sports training field.  Four heritage school buildings on the site will be refurbished as multi-use classrooms, accommodation and dining facilities for up to 100 people.

About 20 new jobs and training opportunities will also be provided for Indigenous people over the life of the project, which is scheduled for completion in August 2009.

The NIDC project is the second project St Hilliers has undertaken for the Indigenous Land Corporation. The company recently completed the nearby $7 million Black Theatre in Redfern. In addition, St Hilliers has been awarded the contract to construct a $5.3 million new dance theatre at the Mt Penang Parklands in Gosford for the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association.