Macgeorge House

Floodplain Habitat and Cultural Regeneration at the Macgeorge House

The UEDLAB is proposing a design framework for the Macgeorge House through cultural dialogue, custodianship and ecological regeneration for species and food webs.

Centred on designed experiments the UEDLAB is seeking to create intermittent and seasonal ponds as part of an art and sculpture walk, co-designed with Wurundjeri Traditional Owners along the Birrarung.

The Macgeorge Estate is a University of Melbourne owned property at the intersection of the Darebin Creek and the Birrarung (Yarra River). We are seeking to develop a culturally informed exemplary constructed wetland habitat as part of an ecological regeneration of the floodplain for biodiversity and stormwater management. We intend to achieve this agenda through co-development of the project and cross sharing of ideas with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

We will work collaboratively with the University of Melbourne, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation (WWCHC), Melbourne Water, the neighbours and other key stakeholders to design the project as a prototype for managing stormwater towards habitat and cultural enhancements on private property.

We currently participate through a co-education model with Uncle Bill and Uncle Dave of the WWCHAC through the UoM studio, Design with Country. We have shared the ideas with the WWCHAC and we are planning an community event in Healesville to review and discuss the proposal. We intend to work closely with the WWCHAC to ensure cultural sensitivity and knowledge.

We will seek to work with the Narrap Unit Rangers on construction and custodianship of the project, including the establishment of an Indigenous led team for land custodianship, habitat management and art installations. Longer term, we will seek to work with the UoM and WWCHAC towards a shared land arrangement.

The Macgeorge House Board has worked with the UoM Grounds along with the industry firm, Lovell Chan to develop a Conservation and Management Plan (2006) and Glas Landscape Architects to generate landscape architectural design and property maintenance strategies (2017).  The UADLAB is approaching the landscape from the perspective that the house and adjacent gardens are part of the historic identity of the property and that the floodplain area is part of the Creek and River. It is all part of Country and we are seeking to create a working co-ownership model with the University and WWCHAC.