URBAN CREEK LINE PARKLANDS Daylighting lost waterways on Country
Acknowledgement of Country I would like to acknowledge the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and continuing Custodians of the land, waters on which this project is sited upon and pay my deepest respects to their enduring connection to Country, knowledge and community. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.
THE BIRRARUNG AS A LIVING ENTITY
The Birrarung river and all of its tributaries are the blood vessels that flows to nourishes all life on Country. Rivers are the veins of our Country and its creeks are the capillaries that delivers water and nutrients across the landscape down to the river. To our Traditional Custodians the land, water and their connections are the sources of identity, spirituality, culture, economy and wellbeing. They hold the knowledge and responsibility to manage and protect all waterways and its lands. The arrival of European settlers brought a different set of values to our waterways. Water was controlled and exploited. Our creeks are diverted, polluted, channelised and buried underground - replaced by urban drainage infrastructure. To protect the river as one single, integrated living entity we must recognise the values of our waterways and work with Traditional Custodians a more resilient future together.
Woiwurrungbaluk ba Birrarung wanganyinu biikpil Yarrayarrapil, manyi biik ba Birrarung, ganbu marram-nganyinu Manyi Birrarung murrondjak, durrung ba murrup warrongguny, ngargunin twarnpil Birrarungwa nhanbu wilamnganyinu Nhanbu ngarn.ganhanganyinu manyi Birrarung Bunjil munggany biik, wurru-wurru, warriny ba yaluk, ba ngargunin twarn Biiku kuliny munggany Bunjil Waa marrnakith-nganyin Balliyang, barnumbinyu Bundjilal, banyu bagurrk munggany Ngarn.gunganyinu nhanbu nyilam biik, nyilam kuliny – balit biik, balit kuliny: balitmanhanganyin manyi biik ba Birrarung. Balitmanhanganyin durrungu ba murrupu, ba nhanbu murrondjak! We, the Woi-wurrung, the First People, and the Birrarung, belong to this Country. This Country, and the Birrarung are part of us. The Birrarung is alive, has a heart, a spirit and is part of our Dreaming. We have lived with and known the Birrarung since the beginning. We will always know the Birrarung. Bunjil, the great Eagle, the creator spirit, made the land, the sky, the sea, the rivers, flora and fauna, the lore. He made Kulin from the earth. Bunjil gave Waa, the crow, the responsibility of Protector. Bunjil’s brother, Palliyang, the Bat, created Bagarook, women, from the water. Since our beginning, it has been known that we have an obligation to keep the Birrarung alive and healthy—for all generations to come. STATEMENT BY THE WURUNDJERI COUNCIL, INCLUDED IN THE YARRA RIVER PROTECTION (WILIP-GIN BIRRARUNG MURRON) ACT 2017
CONTEXT This project builds upon the aspirations of Traditional Custodians and Elders to protect the Birrarung as one, living and integrated living entity. We have been invited by the Birrarung Council to engage with and learn from Traditional Custodians to re-imagine and raise the profile of the north bank of the river between Punt Road and Wallen Road as part of the Great Birrarung Parklands vision. This project explores how daylighting an ancient creek line can create new parklands, improve the health of the Birrarung and create opportunities to restore land and water rights to our Traditional Custodians.
Traditional Custodians of the Birrarung, its tributaries & its lands recognises & protects the river as one integrated living natural entity established under the Act as the ‘Voice of the River’ to champion the protection of the river & support community aspirations invited by the Birrarung Council to re-imagine the north bank of the river (Punt rd to Wallen rd) as part of the Great Birrarung Parklands vision conceptual design exploration of day-lighting of an ancient creek line to create new parklands & restore land & water rights to our Traditional Custodians
WHERE THE WATER WAS PRE-INVASION
Mapping of pre-invasion ecological vegetation classes of the north bank of the river reveals a lost creek line that once flowed through the landscape of Hawthorn and into the Birrarung river.
focus site PRE-INVASION ECOLOGICAL VEGETATION MAP
THE LOST CREEK
The ancient creek line and its floodplain have been destroyed, channelised and buried underground. The ancient creek is forgotten and replaced by the Hawthorn main drain as an attempt to control storm-water drainage to direct the water from the urban areas to the Birrarung river. HAWTHORN MAIN DRAIN MAP
LEGEND
Birrarung
Hawthorn main drain
pre-invasion creek line grassy woodland evc
TRANSECT STUDY The transect at the centre of this project follows the Hawthorn main drain where the ancient creek line once was to discover ways to liberate the ancient creek from its concrete channels and daylight it from its underground burial. TRANSECT SITE MAP
LEGEND Birrarung
Hawthorn main drain
transect
pre-invasion creek line grassy woodland evc
existing green space
A COLONIAL LEGACY Hawthorn was first settled in 1837 and was governed by the Booroondara municipal authority (City of Booroondara today). Booroondara is a Woiwurrung word meaning ‘where the ground is thickly shaded’ referring to woody vegetation that once covered the area. Walking along the transect it is difficult to imagine what this place might look like pre-settlement. What is more prominent is the colonial legacy of control by design evident through large subdivisions, ornate fencing and planting of European trees. Hawthorn is amongst one of the most affluent and influential suburbs in Melbourne characterised by tree-lined streets and heritage listed Edwardian and Victorian houses. Residents have close access to the Birrarung and a variety of public open spaces such as Grace Park, St James Park and Glenferrie Reserve. It is also home to a number of private schools and chapels.
Hawthorn Train Station
Birrarung river from Hawthorn bridge
Eastern Water Dragon at Richmond’s Landing
Grace’s Park Rain Garden
Affluent residential housing near Grace Park
Hawthorn’s Milk Bar
HIDDEN WATERWAYS The transect study follows Hawthorn main drain where the ancient creek line used to be. This ancient waterway is now controlled covered in impervious concrete pavements or culverted underground. It weaves through the Hawthorn both above and below ground in tight spaces. It is hidden under roads, in between buildings, carparks and in between houses behind wooden fencing. Some residents embrace the open drain and take down their fences to allow for views towards it. However, many are unware that it exists.
Open drain between medical precincts
Street art along the drain
Open drain in between carpark and building
Native and exotic vegetation along the drain
Open drain in between residential housing
Open drain at Grace Park
The table below summarises the opportunities and challenges along the transect walk that can help inform the planning and design processes of daylighting the creek and creating parklands. Opportunities for community activation and engagement are also hilighted.
transect line
BURNLEY PARK Burnley Park is located on sacred Indigenous ceremonial grounds. An ancient scarred River Red Gum tree is located here marking a significant
OPPORTUNITIES
improve connectivity where existing trails to connect to the Birrarung and significant Indigenous site
CHALLENGES
CIRCUS PARK
STRATHCONA GIRLS SCHOOL
Burnley Circus Park is the largest outdoor event space in the City of Yarra with a capacity of more than
Strathcona Girls Grammar School and low density, wealthy residential area is located along this reach of the river. There is also in strip of vegetation along the banks of the Birrarung
opportunity for cultur- opportunity for education about the al event at circus park ancient creek collaborating with the close to public trans- school port & main Yarra trail
freeway as a significant barrier noise pollution road as a barrier to connectivity. lots of air & noise pollution
lack of land for the river noise and air pollution
WURUNDJERI GARDEN
MORANG ROAD RESERVE
RESIDENTIAL
Wurundjeri garden is a col- Outlet of ancient creekline and the Residential housing area lab between council & Haw- Hawthorn Main Drain to the river. where the drain runs unDrain is thorn Historical Society. derneath underground in this area and runs Collection of Indigenous roads and becomes an beneath Morang Road Reserve. plants used as food and open drain in between the medicine with interpretive Medium residential housing area with residential housing signages. opportunity to create an daylight ancient creek line daylight ancient creek line extension of this garden Morang Road Reserve as a storm and native revegetation a cultural & ecological trail water storage lack of land along the river lack of trees, shades and public amenities, roads as barriers and weeds flooding risks
lack of native vegetation lack of room for the creek flooding risks
MEDICAL PRECINCT The open drain runs in between a carpark and the pharmacy guild within a medical precinct block. The carpark is underutilised
OPPORTUNITIES
Grafitti artwork & vegetation interesting space can serve as a cultural node or a wetland
CHALLENGES
weeds lack of room for the creek flooding risk
ST JAMES PARK
RESIDENTIAL
RETIREMENT HOMES
GRACE PARK
LYNCH STREET
GLENFERRIE
The drain runs underneath St James Park and opens up in between medium density heritage listed residential houses. Hidden behind wooden and barbed fencing. Barton Milk Bar is a important community meeting space
The drain runs in between residential housing and goes underground when crosses roads. Drain runs between a retirement village and towards Grace Park.
The open drain runs along side residential homes, Grace Park and the train line. Thereis a raingarden and storm water tank at Grace
The drain goes underground Lynch streert - a busy warehouse/ commercial area (large retailers) such as Salvation Army, Bed Bath and Table and others,
Potential collaboration with Barton Milk Bar - to create community gathering space
Potential community event in collaboration with the elderly village
connect Grace Park with St James Park and Glenferrie as a habitat cooridoor
daylighting the drain can revitalise and event retail front space & stormwater storage
weeds lack of room for the creek flooding risk
weeds lack of room for the creek flooding risk
lack of trees and native veg existing park and homeowners
impermeable surfaces noise and air pollution from roads lack of vegetation
Drain runs along the train railway and Glenferrie Oval
lack of trees & shades
DESIGN PROPOSAL: URBAN CREEK LINE PARKLANDS
PRINCIPLES
The Urban Creekline Parklands weaves through the suburb of Hawthorn following the ancient creek line. By reconstructing this creek line and its floodplains, natural flows are restored our and Country will be more resilient to flooding. We create opportunities for recreation use. Riparian habitats are restored and connected. We create access and connect people to Country and as well as improving the health of the Birrarung. The development the Urban Creek Line Parklands will follow several design principles and strategies below.
DESIGN WITH COUNTRY
STRATEGIES
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CONNECTIVITY TRAILS
deep listening & meaningful engagement with Traditional Custodians & the local community
create connections to the river and access to the creekline parklands
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL NODES
Indigenous led design advisory group to oversee the design process and outcome
create cultural & ecological nodes that serves as public amenity & highlights Indigenous narratives
EDUCATION & ACTIVATIONS
ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOOR
find opportunities to educate the community
create ecological connectivity for both flora and fauna
CREEK DAYLIGHTING ROOM FOR WATER identify land & negotiate with landowners to create room for the creek
BIRRARUNG HEALTH IMPROVE WATER QUALITY improve water quality going in to the river through biofiltration methods
DAYLIGHTING
REDUCE WATER QUANTITY
re-surface underground waterways & construct riparian zones & floodplains
reduce stormwater run-off into the river by restoring natural flows and creating storage
HABITAT CREATION create habitat for key threatened species
NATIVE REVEGETATION revegetate threatened native species that are listed in EVC Creekline Grassy Woodland
PHASING & ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY Meaningful engagement and co-design processes with our Traditional Custodians is at the centre of this project and is present at every step of the way. This project will follow alongside the timeline of Treaty in Victoria and aims to empower Indigenous people’s voices in both planning and design. By prioritising engagement and co-design we can start to reclaim land and re-insert Indigenous narratives back into the urban landscape and create a future where biocultural diversity can be realised. TREATY IN PROCESS
TREATY IS REALISED
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN This conceptual masterplan visualises what the final stage of The Urban Creek Line Parklands might look like. The ancient creek is daylighted, parklands are created and Country is connected and accessible - a shared garden for all. The parklands act as a device to reclaim land for the Native Title. Restoring Indigenous rights and interests to land and waters as well as creating opportunities for new kinds of cultural places.
Property boundaries are reduced to create room for the creek. Natural flows are restored and storage capacity is increased which reduces peak flows and increases flow duration. This helps to reduce downstream flooding. Flood resilience housing design is encouraged and greenroofs helps to filter stormwater to improve water quality.
Our buried waterways are liberated from concrete channels and daylighted from their underground burial. We learn from our Traditional Custodians how to look after Country. Treaty is realised and our urban landscape adapts to restore Indigenous rights to land and water. We are connected to Country and resilient to flooding risks. Country is healthy and we live in harmony with nature.
Country as a shared garden
REFERENCES
The references below are selected key references that have informed the development of this project. The list provided is inclusive but not an exhaustive list.
Books & Journals Bruce Pascoe, Dark Emu. Gary Presland, A place for a village. Gary Presland, The Land of the Kulin Bill Gammage, The Biggest Estate on Earth. Deborah Bird Rose, Nourishing Terrains. Mapping & Data Resources Data Vic, https://www.data.vic.gov.au/ Spatial Data Mart, https://services.land.vic.gov.au/SpatialDatamart/ Google Maps, https://www.google.com/maps NearMaps, https://www.nearmap.com/au/en Atlas of Living Australia, https://www.ala.org.au/ Cultural Mapping, https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia Melbourne Water, https://www.melbournewater.com.au/ Threatened Species in Cities, https://threatenedspeciesincities.org/ Videos Aunty Joy Murphy and Andrew Kelly, Wilam: A Birrarung Story Melbourne Knowledge Week 2019, Indigenous design thinking conversations Wurundjeri Community, Birrarung - Woiwurrung Creation Story of the Yarra River. Planning Documents Yarra River 50 Year Community Vision 2018 Draft Yarra Strategic Plan 2020 Yarra River Action Plan Storm & Flood Emergency Plan, Booroondara City Council Integrated Water Management Strategy, Booroondara City Council
Design Guidelines & Charters Indigenous Design Charter, International Indigenous Design Charter Aboriginal Design Principles. Michael Hromek Constructed Waterways Design Manual, Melbourne Water Water Sensitive Urban Design Guildines, Melbourne Water River. Space. Design : Planning Strategies, Methods and Projects for Urban Rivers, Antje Stokman, Daniel Stimberg, Hinnerk Voermanek, Susanne Zeller, Martin Prominski, Katarina Bajc Official Statements & Act Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017 Woi wurrung preambleto the Wilip gin Birrarung Murron Act, 2017 (Yarra River Protection Act, 2017), Wurrundjeri Woi-wurrung Nhanbu narrun ba ngargunin twarn Birrarung (Ancient Spirit & Lore of the Yarra), Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People Kirstine Wallis Jefa Greenaway Alexander Felson Uncle Bill Nicholson Uncle Dave Wadin Andrew Kelly Jini Lee Heather Threadgold Melinda Kennedy Hannah Robertson Kirstin Bauer Alex Lee John Rayner Rueben Berg Victoria Penko
Hannah Dinh To Master of Landscape Architecture Melbourne School of Design Design with Country: Resilience Studio, 2021 A design studio led by Kirstine Wallis, Jefa Greenaway and Alex Felson