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Bruthen Streetscape, Overall layout

Council

East Gippsland Shire Council

Project Contact

Elizabeth Heath

Bruthen Gardens

Bruthen Gardens

Bruthen Gardens

Bruthen Gardens
Bruthen Gardens

Located close by East Gippsland’s regional capital of Bairnsdale, Bruthen gardens are literally and figuratively the heart of the town. A wide carriageway planted with an avenue of Elms and rose gardens, it is a place of remembrance and celebration.

Ratio’s urban design team evaluated the existing spaces and proposed a redesign of the layout, landscaping, and structures within the gardens.

The Project

The gardens need to suit a variety of needs within a cohesive environment. Key elements such canopy cover, species diversity, potential WSUD design, successional planting, cultural considerations, and user delight were considered in the design.

No visible connections are evident to the nearby lush or sweeping floodplains of the Tambo River. Vehicle traffic circulation has turned the gardens into an island in the middle of the town, with few connections to nearby stores and cafes.

The existing Bruthen gardens were unable to accommodate DDA compliance and the variety of desired uses, especially during peak visitor periods such as during the summer holidays and Bruthen Blues Festival.

Our Work

Ratio’s urban design team evaluated the existing spaces and proposed a redesign of the layout, landscaping, and structures within the gardens. Close collaboration with East Gippsland Shire Council, the Project Control Group, and East Gippsland’s Registered Aboriginal Party GLaWAC (Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation) resulted in the creation of three precincts:

  • Remembrance ‒ Precinct featuring renovated Cenotaph adjacent new local indigenous designed gathering space and relocated gazebo.
  • Gathering & Celebration ‒ Precinct to provide centralised open space and accommodate Bruthen’s important Blues Festival, and community events.
  • Relax & Refresh ‒ Precinct to accommodate rest-stop picnic facilities and family gatherings, featuring relocated jet memorial, information signage and new plantings.

In recognition of Bruthen and the Tambo Valley’s significant local Indigenous history and ongoing heritage, Ratio recognised the opportunity for the design to be undertaken in partnership and consultation with GLaWAC. Adhering to the Australian Indigenous Design Charter for Communication Design, the resulting proposed design outcomes include indigenous planting, interpretive signage, and vertical sculpture inclusion.

The western entry to the gardens will now feature a yarning circle with feature paving and patterned rock seating in recognition and celebration of Indigenous social connections and custodianship of the area.

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Bruthen Gardens