The Swan and Canning rivers are central to ’s identity and provide a playground which contributes to the vibrant city community. A project to link key areas along the Swan River’s southern foreshore, delivered through a range of media, is capturing the river’s natural and cultural heritage while enriching visitors’ experiences and encouraging custodianship of the area. by Ben Ansell

he Swan Canning Riverpark covers 72.1km2 of river reserve Tand adjoining public lands, and supports a diverse range of plant and animal life, of which some are endemic to the region. The Swan River, or Derbal Yerrigan as it’s known in the Noongar language, is 72km long and the intersecting (Djarlgarro Beeliar) is 110km long. Together, these two rivers and their Bicton Baths tributaries drain a catchment area of Previous page 2 2090km , stretching and snaking their way Main The stunning Blackwall Reach, otherwise from Wickepin in the Wheatbelt to the known in Noongar as Jennalup – the place of Indian Ocean at . feet. This area has significant historical, Photo – Marc Russo Background The ‘Nyungah Dreaming natural and cultural values. A project along the Swan’ painting by Noongar artist to celebrate these values, and enhance Charmaine Cole has been used throughout visitor experiences along the Riverpark the interpretive material. foreshore has begun. It aims to improve riverfront access and facilities, while Above Engraved quotes tell a unique story increasing the community’s awareness of about each site. the natural and cultural heritage of the Opposite page Swan Canning Riverpark. It has three Far right Interpretive nodes have been key themes – cultural, environmental designed to complement the landscape. and historical – and has been designed to Photos – Ben Ansell/Parks and Wildlife encourage visitors to take ‘River Journeys’ to reflect on the river’s unique history and stories. Various forms of interpretation have been brought together to deliver the experience, including information, pause points or interpretation nodes, nodes at key visitor locations along the The Riverpark Trail vision was realised virtual trail guides, and short audio clips, path to communicate the Riverpark’s in 2015 when the first phase was rolled enabling visitors to engage with Aboriginal natural and cultural values. out, linking key areas along the Swan culture through oral history, connecting The project has been developed as River’s southern foreshore. The first emotionally with the storyteller. part of the draft Riverpark Trail Masterplan section is in the with and the Marli Riverpark Interpretation three interpretation nodes, and two trail A VISION FOR THE RIVERPARK Plan (marli refers to the ‘black swan’ in guides implemented. This section of the The River Journeys project has been Noongar). Integral to developing the Riverpark was an ideal location for the in the making for a number of years and Marli Riverpark Interpretation Plan, was the pilot project, as the foreshore area is part of a greater vision for a Riverpark the establishment of a Noongar Advisory is easily accessible and receives high Trail, to create a continuous recreation Panel to integrate cultural heritage visitation all year round. In total, network through the Swan Canning information and provide advice for the 19 interpretation nodes have been Riverpark from Fremantle to Guildford on plan. The panel includes members of identified along the Swan and Canning both the northern and southern shores the Noongar community, the rivers, with an additional five nodes of the Swan and Canning rivers. The traditional owners of the Perth region, selected by the Noongar Advisory Panel, network of trails seeks to improve visitors’ who speak for country in the Swan due to their cultural significance to the connection with the rivers and enhance Canning Riverpark area. The panel guided Whadjuk community. Heathcote, in understanding and enjoyment of the how messages about Whadjuk Noongar Applecross,was one of these areas due Riverpark. This ambitious project includes cultural heritage values of the rivers to the area’s cultural significance as a a range of recreational opportunities should be told, and identified important men’s ceremonial site. The aim is for this including short- and long-distance walking themes, stories, and key locations to project to become an impetus to roll out and cycling circuits, and improved access ensure heritage values are upheld and more interpretation nodes and trail guides to the river edge. It includes interpretation protected. across the Riverpark.

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Heathcote

“Engraved quotes run along the aluminium frames telling a unique story about each site and welcome visitors to the Riverpark.”

ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL standards, increasing recreational AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE opportunities for a range of people. The interpretation draws on visual, The three new interpretation nodes audio and artistic elements to help visitors installed over summer 2015–16 are at engage in a variety of ways. Engraved sites at Bicton Baths, Point Walter and quotes run along the aluminium frames Heathcote. Designed and installed in telling a unique story about each site and partnership between Parks and Wildlife welcome visitors to the Riverpark, while and the City of Melville, these nodes are interpretation panels filled with images Each interpretation node is unique designed in a shape and style that provides and stories of historical events build a and shares a variety of site-specific stories. minimal visual impact while enticing users picture of the area. The information is For example, the Point Walter node shares to a focal point, drawing their attention presented in Noongar and English to help the story of how Djunda the Charnock to information. The interpretation nodes acknowledge the past, present and future woman created the prominent white are wooden deck structures that link into connections to the area. The panels also sand spit, while the Bicton Baths node existing pathways, and are shaped to prompt visitors to download various apps showcases its diverse history as a one- create a multi-use space providing seating, to access trail guides and audio stories time oyster farm, an animal quarantine interpretation and improved foreshore shared by Whadjuk elders about the station, and then the home of the Melville access. The nodes meet universal access cultural heritage of the river. Amateur Water Polo Club.

LANDSCOPE 25 Riverpark visitors can also discover the trail guide is an online trip planner, which ecological, historical, and Noongar cultural change in the Swan Estuary marine provides detailed maps, descriptions of and heritage values of the local area. ecosystem moving further upstream trails and points of interest, that can be Fremantle Traffic Bridge to Canning to Heathcote, where seagrass habitat accessed via a smart phone or computer. Bridge is one of the virtual trail guides provides protection and food resources Similar to the interpretation nodes, the that intersect the interpretation nodes. for an array of species, including western long-term intent of the virtual trail guides is Titled ‘ Riverpark Trail’, school prawns, blue-swimmer crabs, to develop multiple guides for segments and this 16km trail stretches along some of gobbleguts and seahorses. loops of the Riverpark, eventually covering Perth’s most precious southern foreshore “When you come here to Point the majority of its path network. reserves, boasting impressive views of the Walter, to this white part, you are The virtual trail guides are hosted city’s skyline. The trail is walker and cycle- standing on the white hair of Djunda on various phone apps, such as the friendly, and can be enjoyed any time of the Charnock woman, who left some of Geotourist app and the Trails WA app (see the year. While not marked by directional her hair here when she went back up to also ‘In review’ on page 34). Interpretive signage, the trail does have a number of the milkyway.” – Whadjuk elder Marie information on these apps are presented points of interest, that can be accessed on Taylor, 2014 in the form of ‘points of interest’, which a mobile smart phone. generally relate to the location identified In addition, running along the VIRTUAL TRAIL GUIDES on the trail map. The guides feed into limestone cliffs of Blackwall Reach A key part of the project is the inclusion the interpretation nodes, serving as Reserve (known as Jennalup to the of two virtual trail guides that intersect an information portal, enabling people Whadjuk people) is a second trail guide and link the interpretation nodes. A virtual to access more information about the named Jenna Biddi Yorga, which translates

26 LANDSCOPE “The health of the river is very important. Before the pathways our rivers were the roadways of our life, we went up and down the river hunting, gathering and it was food provided for all and all came from the river.”

Above The Melville Water Riverpark Trail takes to cultural heritage and is implemented enhanced local infrastructure, increasing in beautiful views of the city. in a culturally sensitive way. In order to the aesthetic and amenity values along the reflect the Noongar tradition of delivering southern foreshore. And the best part? Opposite page Top left Seats along the way cater to those stories and sharing information orally, four It’s right on Perth’s doorstep. who want to stop and rest. Whadjuk elders were filmed telling stories about the cultural significance of each site, Far left Whadjuk elders Noel Morich and creating a resource which benefits the Marie Taylor were filmed in key areas along Whadjuk elders and the wider community, Do it yourself the foreshore to capture stories for use on the nodes and trails guides. by gathering stories that have not yet been Trails WA and Geotourist apps are available Photo – Theo Orr/Anthropos Australis Pty Ltd recorded. for download from Google Play and Apple “The health of the river is very iTunes. Head to parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ Above right Paths guide walkers and cyclists important. Before the pathways our park/swan-canning-riverpark for more on a journey of discovery. rivers were the roadways of our life, information. Right Information along the way enriches the we went up and down the river hunting, visitors’ experience. gathering and it was food provided for Photos – Ben Ansell/Parks and Wildlife all and all came from the river.” – Whadjuk elder Noel Morich, 2014 The filming was done at Heathcote, Point Walter and Bicton foreshore to “women’s feet walking on a path” in interpretation nodes, including Blackwall Noongar. This 1km trail guide focuses on Reach. The film has been edited into 13 the relationship the Whadjuk people have audio clips and one video trailer. They to this area of the river, being traditionally are available on the Explore Parks WA a place for women and children. website, as well as on the Geotourist app. WHADJUK ELDER FILMING DISCOVER MORE A key strength of the project is the ‘River Journeys’ is a first for the participation and engagement of Whadjuk Riverpark and has provided an exciting Noongar people. Parks and Wildlife staff opportunity for Parks and Wildlife and the worked closely with Whadjuk Elders City of Melville at a time when cycling and Ben Ansell is Parks and Wildlife’s Marie Taylor and Noel Morich, who are walking are growing in popularity. This has Riverpark project officer and can be contacted on (08) 9442 0300 or by email both members of the Noongar Advisory improved the connection and engagement ([email protected]). Panel, to ensure the project connects with the Riverpark’s heritage, and

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