Use of Indigenous knowledge and culture in the designs of infrastructure and built environment projects helps in developing strong and culturally respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and connection to the land. This relevance and importance of this knowledge and culture is particularly evident in the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project.
Under the largest rail infrastructure project ever undertaken in the state, 85 level crossings are being removed from Melbourne by 2025. These removals will ultimately reduce congestion, improve safety for road users and pedestrians, and create desirable new spaces for the community to enjoy. In addition, 27 train stations are being upgraded or built and new track is being laid.
WSP has been a key member of the Southern Program Alliance (SPA), responsible for removing level crossings on the Frankston line. In conjunction with Alliance partners; Lendlease, Acciona/Coleman Rail, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project, we are delivering the Initial Works Package and Additional Works Packages 1-4.
How Indigenous knowledge and culture was incorporated
Engaging and empowering Traditional Owners, Aboriginal designers and delivery partners was important from the outset, leading to the creation of the LXRP Indigenous Design Guidelines.
WSP has co-designed many of the spaces, engaging with Traditional Owners via an urban design reference panel. This panel provided direct feedback on elements including walls, lights and landscaping. To enhance the connection with Country, design elements also included a yarning circle at Carrum, message sticks and welcome mats in station precincts.
To further embed Indigenous knowledge and culture, the more than 500 strong SPA team participated in awareness training, NAIDOC Week activities, smoking ceremonies and tours of traditional lands.
Allan Murray, WSP’s Principal Consultant for Aboriginal Affairs, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with representatives of Boonwurrung/Bunurong, and now Wurundjeri Country, in Victoria, on design and integration for the project.
“The power of 60,000 plus years of Aboriginal knowledge and respecting cultural values and stories encompasses a respectful opportunity to influence a new Australian vernacular, where designs intrinsically connect to place and context.
“It is our ambition to apply it to many other major projects in Australia.”
The Indigenous design efforts were recognised at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects’ (AILA) Landscape Architecture Awards when the Level Crossing Removal Project in Melbourne and its Indigenous Design Guidelines garnered the prestigious 2021 AILA Victorian Chapter Award of Excellence for Research, Policy and Communications.
Connecting Country to infrastructure projects
Guy Templeton, WSP’s CEO for Asia Pacific, says that engaging with and incorporating Indigenous design and knowledge is critical, “Every project we work on takes place on First Peoples’ Land. To have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples engaged in the design process for infrastructure that will help communities thrive well into the future, is key to broadening the way we all connect to Country.”
WSP has an Indigenous Specialist Services team providing valuable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design input on our major projects. Established in 2008, the team offers services including research and cultural protocols, ethical guidance, project-specific Reconciliation Action Plans, community consultation and stakeholder engagement.
We are proud to be the only engineering firm in Australia to have achieved STRETCH RAP status with Reconciliation Australia – the third highest level.
Learn more about our work incorporating Indigenous knowledge and culture on the Level Crossing Removal Project.
