Bree Ellett

Passage through Country

Repairing fragments and healing seams to restore cultural, spiritual, and physical flows.

The lands of the Birrarung have been fragmented and scarred. Nowhere is this more obvious than in its urban reach. Where once the river had room to breathe, flood and move it has become hemmed in by industry, development, and hard edges. This is a stretch of the river where healing is needed. Through reclaiming and caring for patches, this proposal strives to mend missing links in the Birrarung Council’s aspirations for a ‘giant connected parkland’. The Great Birrarung Parklands. And to create connections for all users, including animals, insects, and plants.

The strength and success of this project hinges on fostering an ongoing relationship with indigenous custodians. Engagement, consultation and co-design with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung must be fore fronted to ensure indigenous voices are heard and given a real stake in how the Birrarung’s lands are used and evolve.