Regatta Park Interpretation Plan
Interpretation Plan
McGregor Coxall
Emu Plains, NSW
Dharug Country
A $34million upgrade is set to transform Regatta Park at the Nepean River in Emu Plains into a focal point for nature, leisure and recreation.
GML was commissioned by McGregor Coxall to prepare an interpretation plan for Regatta Park to bring to light the landscape’s significant history and heritage values within the new park design.
As part of the Regatta Park redevelopment, consultation with Aboriginal traditional owners and knowledge holders was undertaken. Together with Penrith City Council, meetings were held with artist Blak Douglas, Leanne Watson (Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation) and Julie Jones (Dharug woman, Community Member and Knowledge Holder).
GML also conducted site visits, background historical and archaeological research and a review of the existing Interpretation Plan for the Great River Walk prepared by GML for council in 2011.
GML prepared a thematic framework that focused on the Nepean River as the thread between all stories of Aboriginal, European and other cultural responses to the landscape. The framework identified key themes that were each supported by an engaging, researched historical narrative, drawn together from an array of primary and secondary sources.
Based on the Aboriginal consultation, a series of guiding principles for interpretation were developed, with motifs and symbols referencing stories of Dharug culture, lifestyle and lore, truth-telling, Dharug language, and natural materials and palette all central to the interpretative devices.
The first stage of the Regatta Park redevelopment opened in late September 2023, with stage two ready in 2024.
