Goolugatup Lowerlands Renewal Project

Revitalisation of the Goolugatup Lowerlands into a high-quality community, cultural and recreational parklands through landscaping and interpretation design for this culturally significant site.

Project Information

The Goolugatup Lowerlands Renewal Project, shaped with Traditional Owners and community, will create a place that heals and connects our community through a place-based reconciliation approach for transforming a disused waterfront site on the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) into a revitalised parkland, a valuable community, cultural, natural and recreational amenity for public enjoyment.

It aims to sensitively respect the living heritage of the site and restore its ecology, whilst improving amenity, access, and sense of place. The currently under-utilised, deteriorated site sits between Goolugatup-Heathcote on the hill ( including creative precinct, restaurant, playground), and the South of Perth Yacht Club next to the river.

The renewed landscape will include gathering places, shade, shelter, picnic facilities, toilets, carpark, revitalisation of the natural ecosystems, bike path upgrade, a staircase connecting upper to lower lands, lighting, interpretation, wayfinding, and an Aboriginal healing garden with medicinal plants.

This is a place with layers of history and many stakeholders. The intent is to build relationships, community connection with the area, and increased awareness of this culturally significant First Nations site as we care for Goolugatup and the Derbarl Yerrigan.

The project’s first stage included the creation of the key cultural node and shelter, and connecting pathways reoriented along the foreshore as part of ecological protections.

The site will have capacity to host cultural events, public gatherings, and workshops through dedicated amenities including a cultural node, outdoor kitchen, interpretive trails, and educational installations.

Stage two commenced in March 2026 with the construction of a new sealed carpark.

Stage two of the project includes:

Apothecary Healing Garden and Welcome Shelter
Recognition of Aboriginal and environmental values with associated interpretative content, signage and wayfinding
Native garden beds and a concrete path network.
Revitalisation of the former shoreline and wetland in the southeast corner, with landscape connections to the river
Fish traps and interpretative signage
Stabilising of the escarpment with endemic vegetation, and ecological restoration across site
Accessible shelters, toilet, BBQs and picnic amenities, and drinking fountain
Parking and access provisions for increased number of users.

Project Staging Plan

We gratefully acknowledge Lotterywest as a Major Supporter of this project through their recent grant allocation of $2,350,000.