A boardwalk in Wollert has been shortlisted for the Planning with Country Award as part of the 2025 Planning Institute of Australia awards.
Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe said the boardwalk honours the Rathdowne site’s history as a traditional Indigenous meeting place.
“It bridges the past and present, transforming the knoll into a meaningful gathering place for the community,” he said.
“It’s a great space for reflection and connection.”
Villawood’s team workshopped the project with Wurundjeri elders, creating an “exemplar touch-the-earth-lightly” design.
The boardwalk was engineered with a bespoke steel frame sitting above rocks, leaving the natural habitats and grasses undisturbed.
“There’s a viewing platform with seating and stunning views of Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding waterways,” Mr Costelloe.
