badu ngura Boardwalk
2021 Dharawal Country / Centennial
An elevated boardwalk gives accessibility, ecological protection and indigenous knowledge.
An elevated boardwalk and viewing platform in Centennial Park improves public accessibility, protects fragile eco-systems and promotes a greater understanding of local flora and fauna.
A Gentle Path Across the Swamp
The boardwalk safeguards fragile wetlands while welcoming community and learning.
The badu ngura (area of freshwater) boardwalk replaces a dilapidated timber structure over the Lachlan Swamp, a forest of swamp paperbarks and home to a large colony of flying foxes. The sensitive addition to the parklands protects the health of the swamp’s ecology and provides interpretive elements and a viewing platform suitable for educational groups.
Discover more
“Careful site analysis was undertaken to navigate the new boardwalk through the existing fauna and paperbark trees which support the bat colony. ”
Durable, hard-wearing and easy to maintain materials were selected. Horizontal surfaces on the balustrades and kerbs were minimised to prevent collection of bat droppings.
Interpretive elements share First Nations knowledge about the local fauna and flora and their importance to Indigenous culture. The collaboration between the La Perouse Aboriginal community and Centennial Park sees 12 interpretive signs feature artwork by Jordan Ardler, a Bidjigal artist, with cultural knowledge and Dharawal wording by the Gujaga Foundation.
badu ngura Boardwalk Gallery
| Project info | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Sam Crawford, Benjamin Chan, Chelsea Harper |
| Builder | Civilcraft |
| Consultants | Structural Engineer – JN |
| Client | Centennial Park & Moore Park Trust |
| Photographer | Brett Boardman |
| Published | TimeOut Sydney – Oct 2025 Green Magazine – issue 100 |
| Interpretive Signage | Bidjigal woman Jordan Ardler’s artwork, in collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation and local indigenous community, commissioned by Centennial Parklands |
| Completion | 2021 |
What we do
Urban & Public
We design public buildings and civic spaces that foster community connection, cultural expression and a sense of belonging. From libraries to public domain projects, our work is shaped by purpose, context and collaboration. These are places designed for people, built to enrich the cities and neighbourhoods they sit within.
Discover moreMore Urban & Public Projects
Bara Bridge, Centennial Parklands
The design of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge in Centennial Park was inspired by the shape of ‘bara’ eels and their migration to the Pacific Ocean from the very pond it traverses.
Matraville Youth & Cultural Hall
Preserving a grove of native trees inspired the layout of a local hall. A grove of mature native…