Mount Archer canopy walk named Regional Project of the Year

Published on 26 March 2019

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All eyes are on Mount Archer’s spectacular elevated boardwalk, Nurim Circuit, which has been named Regional Project of the Year at the Australian Institute of Architects’ Central Queensland Regional Architecture Awards.

The honour was awarded to local firm Design+Architecture in collaboration with Rockhampton Regional Council. The boardwalk has also been shortlisted for the State Awards.

Rockhampton Regional Mayor Margaret Strelow has said it will come as no surprise to Rockhampton residents that the project is receiving this kind of recognition.

“The boardwalk has been hugely popular among residents and tourists since it first opened a year ago, and it is wonderful to have it recognised as the Central Queensland Regional Project of the Year,” said Mayor Strelow.  

“It is a truly spectacular piece of architecture, allowing visitors to navigate through the treetops with unobstructed views of the Rockhampton Region, guided by interpretive signage on the local Darumbal culture.”

Nurim Circuit is a wheelchair-friendly, non-obtrusive structure that respects the natural terrain. Each section offers a different experience, a different view to appreciate, or a different story to be told.

The materials used to construct the boardwalk were carefully selected to minimise the risk of fire and to increase sustainability and longevity. Local indigenous Darumbal art is weaved into parts of the boardwalk to honour the traditional custodians of the land.

Colin Strydom, architect and director of Design+Architecture, has said that his firm is humbled by this award, and grateful to be part of the ongoing work shaping and defining Fraser Park.

“The success of this project lies in the appreciation of nature and the fabric of local collaborations. Almost all involved on the project are from the Rockhampton Region including the consulting team, construction team, the client and project management team,” said Mr Strydom.

“The real reward for me personally is the overwhelming positive feedback from the local community, every time they go up the mountain, rediscovering the mountain and their own town from above.

“I would like to give special thanks to all involved, especially Rockhampton Regional Council’s parks and projects team, BT Builders, Deborah Morris, Alex Stein, Marnie Augusteyn, David Sansom, QLD National Parks, and local elders.”

The Nurim Circuit Elevated Boardwalk was made possible through $300,000 in funding from the Works for Queensland program as well as $450,000 from the Department of Environment and Science.