Bundilla Beach Masterplan

Hames Sharley was engaged to develop a master plan for a much-loved beloved community asset, the Bundilla Beach Reserve (also known as Vesteys Reserve) as part of a multistage revitalisation project by the City of Darwin, in three phases over 10 years.

The Bundilla Beach Master Plan vision is to enhance and revitalise the natural parkland environment for leisure and recreation without overprogramming and create a long-term vision for the area while acknowledging the continuous connection and custodianship of the Traditional Owners; Larrakia.

The master plan developed by Hames Sharley, Clouston Associates and City of Darwin contributes to the public domain by honouring the outcomes of its extensive stakeholder and community consultation process including key First Nations bodies.

We listened to community members, nearby residents and key stakeholders with interests in the surrounding area in a meaningful, authentic way, with the predominant sentiments for the foreshore and reserve to work primarily as a cool, green and biodiverse natural habitat, for lively, community use.

The program has now resulted in the successful construction of Phase 1 including Coriolis a kinetic sculpture, commemorating Cyclone Tracy, a dog park, active recreation components, a BBQ shelter, extra toilet, pathways and new landscaping, each carefully delivering on the plan’s vision by creating passive and recreational activity without overdeveloping existing space. These provide immediate benefits to the community funded by a $4.5m investment from the Australian Government, the Northern Territory government and City of Darwin. While further delivery of the master plan is currently unfunded, the council will explore options including recurrent funding programmes and grant funding opportunities to deliver aspects of the works.

Culturally, the plan celebrates the long history of the Larrakia Culture and Country and more recent Western history through plantings, materials, public lighting and clear views, wayfinding and signage.

The long-term works include embedding Bundilla Beach into Darwin’s slow-move network and filling in a missing link in the coastal path between the CBD and Casuarina Beach, with a comprehensive range of initiatives. A key component is returning the prime foreshore land back to recreation and enhancing access to the beach while relocating the main through road and associated parking away from the foreshore. Other works involve improving active transport links and redevelopment to the greater foreshore network and popular visitor destinations.

The plan delivers substantial sustainability benefits to the environment, based on input from the community and stakeholders, and serves the community with a careful approach avoiding excessive structures or intervention. This includes habitat improvements and associated shared paths to enhance environmental amenity, including extensive revegetation and shade trees for species diversity, protecting the lake habitat and mangrove community downstream of Atkins Drive as well as a new boardwalk, a discover walk and improved fishing opportunities.

Translated as ‘young girl’ in Traditional Larrakia language and culture, Bundilla Beach Reserve will continue to provide opportunities for future generations to enjoy the precinct and remain a true tropical oasis in the inner city, reflective of the communities’ values and lifestyle.