The ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk project aims to connect the villages of the Dandenong’s through five themed walks covering 39 kms. The themes of Community, Country, Ways of seeing, Activism and Resilience will be celebrated through cultural histories and creative stories specific to each region along the way. Architectural nodes are resting spaces that are important aspects of these themes.

Five key sites within the Dandenong Ranges have been identified for architectural nodes, which will include design features and interpretive information. They will provide a place to pause and reflect on the surrounding environment.

One of the architectural nodes will be in the Sassafras Village Green. Council, together with the designers, have developed designs base on community feedback.

Design

Designer's statement on the Architectural Node inspirations

Community holds special meaning to many First Peoples. These Mother and child structures are representative of the nurturing, strength, shelter and guidance community provides; the forms taking on the character of a weaving and unfurling fern, representing the unbreakable connection between community, culture and Country.

The ngurrak barring Architectural Nodes are collaborative explorations of the themes of the walk through an Indigenous lens, crafted by First Peoples design studios, Djinjama and COLA Studio.

Site layout

Click through the interactive markers below to find out more about the design features and our response to your feedback.

Main structure- artist's visualisation

Image of three people standing under curved metal structure

What we heard

  • Indigenous influence

    “Indigenous cultural designs integrated throughout the node to reflect Wurundjeri culture. Also paying respect to local flora and fauna.”

    “Indigenous presence and info”

    “It would be nice if what's left of the indigenous people could install something representing their culture so that locals and visitors could appreciate out pre-colonial history.”

    “Along with appropriate local indigenous historical culture, perhaps include area use and development spanning more recent timelines.”

  • What is missing?

    Toilet facilities received the most preferences for the space. Seating ranked second highest. Other suggestions included artwork, and more trees.

    Sassafras has been identified as a priority location for public amenities renewal/replacement. Three potential sites have been identified for new toilet facilities. Our teams have been consulting with the community over preferred locations.

    For more information on the toilet facilities contact Major Projects at mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

  • Community events

    The Village Green is a valued space for people to attend ANZAC Day events. A local market was suggested as a possible use of the space.

How did people get involved?

Residents in Yarra Ranges found out about the engagement and got involved in the following ways...

Community consultation

Tell us what you love about the Sassafras Village

The survey has now closed - follow the page for updates.

How to get involved

Complete the short survey here

Come chat with us - Thursday the 21st of March 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the Sassafras Village Green.

Click the follow button at the top of the page to stay updated on this project.

You will need to register to Shaping Yarra Ranges and then we can keep you in the loop with updates and opportunties to be involved in this project.