An Aboriginal interpretive playspace in Shellharbour on the state’s south coast has won silver at the 2023 Landscape Excellence Awards.
Shellharbour City Mayor, Chris Homer said he was thrilled with the playspace award.
“The Aboriginal Interpretive Play Space is an incredible addition to our city,” he said.
“Yirran muru is a unique space that allows us to share local Aboriginal culture through play and the natural environment.
“A lot of thought, consultation and planning went into the design and construction of this playspace, and what an amazing achievement it is.
“If you haven’t visited this beautiful playspace yet, it is something you really need to see.”
The awards celebrate the highest standards and achievement in landscape construction, design and maintenance in NSW and the ACT, showcasing outstanding levels of complexity, quality of workmanship, management expertise, innovation and creativity.
The prize was awarded to Simpson Landscapes and Consulting in the Commercial & Civil Construction $750,000 to $1.5 million category.
The design aimed to enhance biodiversity of the site by using natural materials and the additional planting of native plants as well as seating, paths and landscaping which improve connectivity to and around the Shellharbour Civic Centre grounds.
There are multiple interactive elements within the playspace, including Burri Burri – a hand carved timber whale, a canoe across Jubborsay (Lake Illawarra), a gunya (dwelling), a treehouse lookout, sandpit, climbing equipment, bush tucker plants and more.
The playspace also includes an interactive language wheel, where visitors can listen to and learn words from the Dharawal language and learn more about local Aboriginal culture.
