Work has started on Ngamawari, the new public park celebrating Ngunnawal culture and history on the Acton Waterfront.

An interim park will open in 2025 while the permanent 30,000 square metre park is built.

The interim park will be a place for people to relax, exercise and enjoy events and activities by lake.

It will feature:

• grassed areas, garden beds and retaining walls

• temporary lighting and shade structures

• hardstand spaces to support events and food and coffee options

• infrastructure like stormwater and more infill

• secure access for heavy vehicles, maintenance and emergency vehicles.

The interim park will lay the foundations for the permanent park. Once completed, it will be a large-scale and culturally significant space for Canberrans and visitors.

Ngamawari is designed in partnership with local Ngunnawal community members and creatives.

Ngunnawal culture and history features throughout the park. This includes native plantings and artworks.

The parks name, Ngamawari (pronounced nar-mar-wa-ree) means ‘cave place’ in Ngunnawal language. It was gifted by Ngunnawal community representatives in November 2023. The name recognises the cultural importance of the limestone caves that were flooded during the creation of Lake Burley Griffin. The caves played provided shelter and art along the Molonglo River.

Ngamawari is the latest works in the Acton Waterfront project. It follows:

• the construction of neighbouring Henry Rolland park in 2018

• the lake reclamation, 700-metre boardwalk and public beach in 2022.

Find out more about the Ngamawari and the Acton Waterfront project.