ngurrak barring to weave trails through the hills

Community members are encouraged to stay tuned about ngurrak barring, as project works get underway this year.

Occurring across 39km of walking track, nguarrak barring (RidgeWalk) will invite residents and visitors to explore the natural wonders, rich histories and cultural offerings of the region.

ngurrak barring will deliver 14km of new and improved tracks, architectural nodes, permanent sculptures, land art and heritage interpretation.

RidgeWalk has recently been re-named ngurrak barring (noo-rak bar-ring)meaning ‘mountain paths’ in Woiwurrung. The name was provided by Senior Wurundjeri Elder and project Indigenous Advisory member, Aunty Doreen WandinGarvey.

Lyster Ward Councillor, Johanna Skelton, said that teams have been working hard on ngurrak barring through 2022, with major works to come in 2023.

“It’s fantastic that this project is rolling out and has a name that reflects layers of meaning – the experience of walking the trails, the significance of the ranges as part of Wurundjeri Country, and the many ‘paths’ that have been taken throughout history by all who have lived here and felt connected to it,” she said.

“There has been such fantastic contribution to this project from our Creative Advisory Panel and our Indigenous Advisory Group for the project, along with community feedback, which is going to help us ensure ngurrak barring is a project that people enjoy for decades to come.

“The current plan is to have all works complete and every part of ngurrak barring open for the community by the end of 2024 – with artwork and trail sections to be completed in stages before then.” ngurrak barring is one of Council’s Ridges and Rivers projects, alongside the Yarra Valley Trail and Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. All projects have received significant funding from the State Government (Growing Suburbs Fund), Federal Government, with investments from Council.

Throughout March and early-April, Council sought expressions of interest from multidisciplinary teams of artists – local, national and international – to design, supply and install a large-scale land artwork at Kalorama Park.

The major public art commission, which will be located close to the highest point of the Dandenong Ranges, will create an iconic market for the area, viewable from a rang of distances and perspectives.

The artwork will ideally be completed by the end of February, 2024. Now that the expression of interest has closed, Council will consider the expressions and select teams to move to the next stage of selection.

To find out more about this project, and to sign up for updates, visit yarraranges.vic. gov.au/ridgewalk