An artist’s impression of what’s planned for Ngamawari, the Acton Waterfront park. The permanent park is due to open in 2028. Image: Aspect Studios.
The next step in delivering a great public park at the Acton Waterfront has been taken with the ACT Government seeking a landscape architect and consultancy team to develop the approved design to be construction-ready.
To be called Ngamawari, Ngunnawal for ‘cave place’, the park will be developed on land reclaimed from Lake Burley Griffin and abut the new boardwalk at West Basin.
Early works are already under way on a temporary park with grass, trees and pop-up infrastructure for recreation, which will be developed first as the reclaimed land settles, opening in 2025-26.
The full permanent park is expected to open in 2028.
The successful tenderer will build on the design developed in 2022 and 2023 by a consortium led by Aspect Studios after consulting the local community and Traditional Custodians to shape a park that raises the visibility of Ngunnawal history in Australia’s capital.
The park is scheduled for completion in 2028. Image: Aspect Studios.
Ngamawari will provide opportunities to learn about Ngunnawal history and culture, with native plantings, bush tucker gardens, and a Ngunnawal-themed nature play space that includes adventure and water play.
It is also envisaged as a place for events, markets, exhibitions, community gatherings and activities.
The tender document says the park will have significant tree coverage for shade, lawns, meadows, hardstand areas for events, a community plaza, accessible paths, an active travel share-way, furniture, small shelters and barbecues.
There will also be two pavilions with gender-neutral toilets, change rooms and two commercial opportunities, such as a cafe.
An artist’s impression of a pavilion for the park. Image: Stewart Architecture.
Ngamawari will include Ngunnawal-inspired public art spaces to be curated by Western Australia public arts consultancy FORM as the park’s First Nations curator.
In collaboration with the Ngunnawal community, FORM will deliver a series of concepts through construction, which will be integrated into the park for the 2028 opening.
An artist’s impression of what the nature play space could look like. Image: Aspect Studios.
The tender document says the artworks will seamlessly integrate into the landscape design. They will be fabricated off-site and installed during the final year of construction as a part of the civil works contract.
The new park will also have to integrate with the proposed mixed-use development to be built behind it on the current car parks.
When the Budget was handed down in June, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the government would be bringing forward land releases for new housing, including at the Acton Waterfront.
City Renewal Authority CEO Malcolm Snow said the tender was an exciting opportunity for innovative designers.
“Ngamawari will be a new destination park visited and valued by all Canberrans. It will contribute greatly to our vision of making Canberra’s City Centre a great place to live, work, and visit,” he said.
“The design created in partnership with the community honours the Traditional Custodians and elevates sustainability, accessibility and inclusion, active travel, and integration with public transport throughout the future park.”
The National Capital Authority gave the green light to the project and naming of the park last November.
The NCA will also deliver a new pedestrian path from the Acton Waterfront to the National Museum of Australia.
Expressions of interest close on 23 March.
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