Sharing culture with the community through story and language
Landcom is currently building new entry and exit ramps onto the Hume Motorway from Wilton, as well as a new bridge. This highly anticipated new infrastructure will improve motorway access, reduce local traffic and connect North Wilton to key town centres.
We are excited to share that the new bridge, as well as the upgraded existing Niloc Bridge, will feature a design that recognises Country - including its natural landscape, animals, Aboriginal culture and community.
This design is the result of Landcom's collaboration with a working group of Aboriginal Traditional Owners, Elders and community members. Over the last year, they have worked alongside us and our architects to create a design that is durable, striking, educational and reflective of this very special place.
Artist's impression of the new bridge design, seen as travelling southbound.
Explore our design
As part of the throw screen design, a silhouette of the Razorback Range will be applied across the entire length of the bridge.
The high, steep hills that make up the Razorback Range are an iconic feature of the local landscape. They also have deep historical and cultural significance for Aboriginal Australians.
People travelling across both the new vehicle bridge and the upgraded pedestrian and cycle bridge will enjoy views of the ranges.
Aerial view of the Razorback Range over North Wilton.
The bridge features motifs of local native animals, applied as metal cut-outs.
Commuters will see a kangaroo, lyrebird, wombat, koala, echidna and wedgetail eagle.
This design encourages a curiosity and appreciation of the abundant wildlife that calls the Wollondilly Shire home.
An example of similar application, seen on the Cleveland Street Bridge in Redfern by Nadeena Dixon and Balarinji.
The words 'Dharawal Ngura' are impressed on the bridge throw screens, identifying that we are on Dharawal Country and welcoming all those who drive past to Country.
An example of signage at Sydney Olympic Park.
Proposal to name the new bridge 'Boolbimaadha'
To complete the design of the bridge, we need to select a new name. The working group have recommended that the bridge be named after the Razorback Range, to continue the strong thematic connection to the bridge design.
Referring to surveying records from the 1800s and Dharawal language conventions, the working group have recommended the name Boolbimaadha as a suitable reflection of a word encompassing Razorback.
Our next steps are to:
- provide a report for Transport for NSW, who will own the bridge, and then
- apply for a name with the Geographical Names Board
Before we do this, we welcome feedback from the community on our proposal.
