badu ngura Boardwalk

2021 Dharawal Country / Centennial Parklands, Sydney, NSW

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.

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.

Careful site analysis was undertaken to navigate the new boardwalk through the existing fauna and paperbark trees which support the bat colony. The boardwalk and viewing platform were shaped to ensure no trees were removed. Sensitive construction methods were used to ensure minimal disruption to both the trees and the roosting bats.

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.

Project Team

Sam Crawford, Benjamin Chan, Chelsea Harper

Builder

Civilcraft

Consultant Team

Structural Engineer – JN

Client

Centennial Park & Moore Park Trust

Interpretive Signage

Bidjigal woman Jordan Ardler’s artwork, in collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation and local indigenous community, commissioned by Centennial Parklands 

Photographer

Brett Boardman