Albanese made a special trip to Coffs Harbour on Saturday morning to help officially open the $82 million Yarrila Place, which was developed in consultation with the local council's Indigenous advisory board, Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Speaking to the crowd at the opening event, Mr Albanese said the council's advisory body and its role in major projects, like Yarrila Place, was a small-scale example of what the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would do nationally.

"That's what Australians are being asked to vote for [in the upcoming referendum]. Just an advisory committee, nothing to fear," Mr Albanese said.

"Because when you listen to people who are directly affected, you'll have better outcomes. That's what this is about."

Named after the Gumbaynggirr word for "illuminate", Yarrila Place is the result of six years of planning to develop a cultural and civic space Coffs Harbour.

The facility houses a museum, art gallery, library as well as a new City of Coffs Harbour council chambers and offices.

Mr Albanese told the crowd he was "delighted" to attend the grand opening of the facility, and said he had followed its progress while he was opposition spokesperson for local government.

"I know this project has been on the drawing board for a long period of time," he said.

"This is a great regional project that will provide benefit for all who live in this region, but also be a real attraction for people to visit this region."

Dancer and choreographer Sean Campbell was based in Lismore on NSW's North Coast and made the two-hour trip for the opening of the precinct.

"The facilities here are high quality as well. [It will be good] to share amongst all the different regions within regional NSW," he said.

He said the space was just as important for the region as any sporting facilities or infrastructure work.

Nationals MP criticises visit:

But Mr Albanese's visit drew criticism from the National Party NSW member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, who said he had received messages from concerned constituents about the visit.

"We had hundreds of constituents reach out just expressing disbelief that with everything else going on in the country, the prime minister would take time out to cut a ribbon on a council chamber," he said.

Mr Singh, who did not attend the opening, said he recognised the need for improved cultural facilities in the region, but viewed the inclusion of the council chambers in the project as unnecessary.

Support for Indigenous Australians:

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76

eSafety Commission's First Nation resources

"We needed an improved gallery. We needed an improved library. I think the main criticism that people have about the project is the council chambers," he said. 

"We went from a modest two-storey building to a seven-storey building, if you include the underground car park.

"It blew out the cost enormously."

At Saturday's event, the City of Coffs Harbour general manager Natalia Cowley reinforced the project was on budget at $82 million, despite the council's website about the project stating the project would cost $76 million.

Original Story By | Charles Rushforth & Nick Parmeter