Nowra Bridge
Connecting riverside communities, Artefact worked to conserve the local heritage of the Shoalhaven River region as part of the new Nowra Bridge Project.
The project
Location: Nowra Bridge, on Wandi Wandian and Wodi Wodi Country
The project included construction of a new bridge over Shoalhaven River, upgrade to Princess Highway and adaptive reuse of heritage listed Nowra Bridge into a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist zone.
Artefact was engaged by Transport for NSW to develop a Conservation Management Plan, Archaeological Survey and Statement of Heritage Impact. This led to development of a Heritage Interpretation Strategy to honour the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the Nowra Bridge area.
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Transport for NSW
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Conservation Management Plan
Archaeological Survey
Statement of Heritage Impact
Heritage Interpretation Strategy
Heritage solution
Artefact consulted with a range of Aboriginal stakeholders in the area including the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council, spokespersons from the Jerrinja Tribe and local Elders in order to develop the histories and cultural heritage values for the Heritage Interpretation Strategy.
The recommendations from the strategy included the development of series of interpretive panels around the bridge, ground plane inlays, use of local language, plantings of native species, and murals on the bridge. with graphics developed by the students of TAFE NSW Nowra Certificate III and Certificate IV Aboriginal Cultural Arts Program taught by Warwick Keen.
The students, and members of the Transport for NSW project team, were invited to attend a Walk on Country with Matt Simms and Uncle Sonny Simms of Djiriba Waagura and, using this knowledge and guidance, the students developed concept artwork as part of their art coursework.
TAFE NSW were so supportive and pleased with the outcome that they issued a press release to celebrate the collaboration of industry and education.
The project was also acknowledged in NSW Parliament by Kiama MP, Gareth Ward.
Transport for NSW and Fulton Hogan went on to commission the same TAFE NSW art students, under the guidance of local Aboriginal artist Glenn Duffield, to produce three murals for the bridge.
The murals share stories of the river and include student's artworks.
“Today the Parliament of NSW acknowledges Nowra’s new bridge over the Shoalhaven River which will tell the story of our region’s Indigenous culture and perspectives. Artefact Heritage Services is working with Transport for NSW on the project, and the organisation’s Alexandra Gaffkin said the concept designs were beautiful images celebrating the stories of local knowledge holders.”