Case Study
Boorloo Bridge – Building a Bridge Between Two Cultures
(For a more information about the Boorloo Bridge project, please visit Case Studies Series 2025)
Location
Connecting Victoria Park, Heirisson Island and Perth CBD at Point Fraser)
Client
Causeway Link Alliance – Civmec Construction and Engineering, WSP, Seymour Whyte and Main Roads WA
Description
361 Degrees was engaged to lead the stakeholder and community engagement for the Boorloo Bridge project, comprising the design and construction of two cable-stayed pedestrian and cyclist bridges spanning the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) in Perth and Victoria Park via Matagarup and Heirisson Island. The 6m-wide path provides a safer journey for approximately 3,000 daily path users.
- 2019 – Project planning began
- 2022 – Design and construction contract awarded to the Causeway Link Alliance
- 22 Dec 2024 – Boorloo Bridge officially opened
“Boorloo” is the Noongar name for Perth. The site holds deep significance to the Whadjuk Noongar people, with Matagarup a mythological and historic crossing and the Derbarl Yerrigan a registered Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Site.
Embedded within the Alliance Management Team from the tender stage, 361 Degrees facilitated the Matagarup Elders Group (MEG), an advisory group comprising 18 Noongar Elders that was instrumental in influencing how the bridges’ innovative design integrated into the existing landscape and urban design, whilst acknowledging the spiritual and cultural importance of the Swan River to Perth’s First Nations peoples. Our responsibilities expanded as the project progressed to include coordinating public art and content design for the bridges’ innovative feature lighting.
Additionally, we coordinated the Alliance Stakeholder Reference Group, comprising two local governments and state government agencies, fostering integral collaboration to achieve project objectives.
Project Outcomes
- Collaboration with Noongar Elders was integral, with numerous in-person engagements over a five-year period facilitating opportunities for Aboriginal empowerment and self-determination.
- Involving Traditional Owners from the outset (pre-feasibility stage) ensured meaningful input in shaping strategic project outcomes. Elders shared site specific stories, passed from generation to generation, informing the project’s cultural narrative, underpinning all elements of design, construction and engagement.
- The Alliance’s engagement approach fostered strong, trust-based relationships between Elders and the project team and built Elder capacity to seek and participate in other consultation processes. Independent evaluation demonstrated a high level of shared ownership and satisfaction from Elders in final project outcomes.
- The project has created an iconic legacy delivering visionary aspirations showcasing Whadjuk Noongar Culture to the world. Whilst the project delivers transport infrastructure, it has initiated a healing and reconciliation process within the community, in building bridges between the Aboriginal community and other residents and visitors to Perth.
