A severe shortage of visitors and a lack of support from the business community has forced the region's premier indigenous cultural centre to fold less than 18 months after opening, operators say.The Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery Centre at Bulli Tops closed its doors on Thursday.Chairman Richard Davis said it had not gone into liquidation and could meet its financial obligations.As the Mercury reported in October, just four visitors a day were walking through the doors of the facility, the centrepiece of the $11 million Southern Gateway Centre.The complex also comprises a visitor information centre and restaurant, which are not affected.Jumbulla consisted of a 45-minute audio-visual display tracing the history and culture of the region's indigenous people. It employed 13 indigenous staff, mostly tour guides.Mr Davis said the closure was "a sad day for the Aboriginal community"."We've put a lot of time and effort into it. But we'll survive and move on and do something else down the track," he said.The Southern Gateway Centre has been plagued by controversy over its location - a 20-minute drive from Wollongong - and access issues for northbound motorists. Jumbulla's $15 cover charge had also been criticised.But Mr Davis also blamed the business community and general public for failing to get behind the venture."People … are caught up in their own world and not worried about what Aboriginal culture has to offer. But if they came in and had a look, it would have opened their eyes," he said.He conceded Jumbulla's marketing strategy could also have been improved.Supporter and former state MP Colin Markham said the closure was a massive loss to the Illawarra's tourism industry, Aboriginal residents and the wider community."I'm also saddened for the elders whose dream came to fruition and has now shrivelled on the vine," he said.Wollongong City Council general manager David Farmer said the council had attempted to ease the financial burden on Jumbulla by granting it a rent-free period since it opened.