City of Melville Council’s culturally significant Goolugatup Heathcote Lower Lands Renewal project has reached a major milestone, with stage two of the project to begin this month.
The Council is revitalising the site into a high-quality community, cultural and recreational parklands through landscaping and interpretation design, co-designed by Traditional Owners to ensure it is a place of healing that connects our community
The start of stage two was marked with a launch event on Monday attended by Member for Bateman Kim Giddens MLA, City of Melville Elected Members and staff, and Lotterywest representatives, following Lotterywest’s $2.35 million grant supporting the $8.8 million project.
“It’s very pleasing to see stage two of the Goolugatup Heathcote Lower Lands Renewal project commence,” said Mayor, Katy Mair.
“We’re appreciative of Lotterywest’s $2.35 million grant for this culturally significant project commence with exciting work taking place during this stage.
“Facilitating a sense of community, wellbeing, social connection, and participation while providing lifelong learning opportunities is a priority for the City and this project is a great example of this.”
Stage two of the project includes:
• Native garden beds and a concrete path network.
• Apothecary Healing Garden and Welcome Shelter
• Recognition of Aboriginal and environmental values with associated interpretative content, signage and wayfinding
• Revitalisation of the former shoreline and wetland in the southeast corner, with landscape connections to the river
• Fish traps and interpretative signage
• Stabilising of the escarpment with endemic vegetation, and ecological restoration across site
• Accessible shelters, toilet, BBQs and picnic amenities, and drinking fountain
• Parking and access provisions for increased number of users.
The project’s first stage included the creation of the key cultural node and shelter, and connecting pathways reoriented along the foreshore as part of ecological protections.
The site will have capacity to host cultural events, public gatherings, and workshops through dedicated amenities including a cultural node, outdoor kitchen, interpretive trails, and educational installations.
“This project increases knowledge and understanding within our community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements in our City while enhancing the provision of community and recreational spaces, which is a fantastic outcome,” said Mayor Mair.
Stage two of the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
For more information on the project, visit www.melvillecity.com.au/goolugatupheathcoteproject.
