Wurundjeri Willum traditional owners co-designed the Darebin Creek Lookout in lockstep with the Childs Road Upgrade team – creating a new open space situated on the southern side of the Darebin Creek bridges, that links in with new walking and cycling paths and the Darebin Creek Trail.
The finished product incorporates feedback from the local community, particularly local Aboriginal people, ensuring more than 40,000 years of Aboriginal history in Epping and Mill Park were represented as part of the project.
In March the space was formerly opened to the public for the first time. The opening coincided with a community event, where hundreds of locals joined us to celebrate the completion of the upgrade.
Central to the gathering and rest area, is an Aboriginal mosaic pavement designed by local and Wurundjeri artist Ashley Firebrace, complemented with interpretive signage. Locals were able to have their say on this final design.
It’s not the first time Mr Firebrace has worked on one of our projects – he and Tom Civil painted a 60-metre long mural on the Chandler Highway bridge, which was completed in 2019.
The piece entitled “Meeting place” evokes the stories of how their ancestors used Darebin Creek and surrounds, drawing on parallels to the ancient movement and campsites of the Wurundjeri-balluk and Wurundjeri-willam clans.
The Childs Road Upgrade has delivered a new rest area that features a drinking fountain, seating – largely using recycled natural materials from the local area – extensive planting and landscaped gardens. This paved, open space now offers locals a brand-new area to come together, exercise and enjoy. Three times as many trees have also been planted as part of the project.
We hope the new rest area will give not only students, but all locals and visitors a new perspective on Darebin Creek – highlighting the natural environment and cultural heritage, celebrating First Nations cultures and their connection within the urban landscape.
Nearby improvements to the Darebin Creek Trail will see locals enjoy a safer and more attractive journey with separate pedestrian and cycling paths on either side of the Darebin Creek Lookout. The shared path will make it safer and easier for people walking and cycling along Darebin Creek, with the trail widened to provide a safety buffer between the path and the creek. The paths have been upgraded to a new smoother surface.
View more information about the Darebin Creek Lookout and the Childs Road Upgrade.