Umbagong Bridges
Umbagong Bridges
Nestled into the landscape within Umbagong District Park Latham on the land of the Ngunnawal people sit three carefully detailed pedestrian bridges. Constructed of mild steel, the lightweight design limited the site impact while protecting and expanding critical endemic vegetation.

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About

TCL, in collaboration with Sellicks and PlanIT, undertook concept design, community feedback, DA, construction documentation, tender review and construction review for the project. The design for the bridges reflected an update to those used in nearby Tidbinbilla - a much loved TCL project that is traversed by a series of low slung, mild steel walkways.

The bridge design used a kit of parts approach, relying on off the shelf pieces in considered sizes that would allow for a team of labourers to build the bridge structures in difficult to access sites, without the need for large scale cranes and other equipment.

The use of a mild steel and a lightweight design exemplified an approach which focused on limited site impact. This included the reuse of existing bridge alignments and path infrastructure, and a structural layout that closely hugs the topography to limit the need for balustrades and large structural elements. Careful material considerations ensured that the bridges would nestle into the landscape.

The revegetation surrounding each bridge was undertaken in consultation with the Latham District Park Landcare group. The local group of volunteers provided key feedback on endemic and native plant species selection and placement specific to the Umbagong Distric Park and site conditions.

The result is a design that has a high level of visual connection between the landscape, creek, and the bridges, while allowing greater access and new vantage points for visitors and the local community.

Details
Client Name
ACT Government
Location
Latham on the land of the Ngunnawal people
Year
2020
Scale
1,150sqm
Team
Peter Ayres, Terrence Stapleton, Damian Schultz
Engineering
Sellicks Consultants
Planning
PlanIt
Photography
TCCS, Ben Wrigley
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TCL acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People — the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples continuing connection to land, waters, and culture and recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.