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Ballast Point Park

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority / Birchgrove, Sydney, Australia

This multi-award-winning 2.5ha waterfront park, Walama, is located on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people in the inner reaches of Sydney Harbour. The site reveals a rich history spanning thousands of years of First Nations presence, followed by European settlement and industrial use. From the 1860s, the area experienced the construction of the ‘Menevia’ marine villa, use as a quarry for ship ballast, and petroleum distillation by Caltex from the 1920s until 2002.

As lead consultant, McGregor Coxall undertook project management, design development, construction documentation and administered the construction contract for the client. Transforming a once-contaminated industrial site into a vibrant regenerative public space. The project champions environmental innovation, featuring site-wide recycled materials and wind turbine generators symbolising a shift from fossil fuels. An integrated stormwater management system ensures all water entering Sydney Harbour is thoroughly cleaned before discharge.

Walama, meaning ‘to return’ in the Dharug language, represents the site’s transformation from an industrial landscape to an ecological haven honouring both natural and cultural heritage, providing a powerful narrative of renewal and respect for the land.

Site Area

 2.5 ha

Services
  • Brownfields
  • Contaminated Sites
  • Environmental Footprinting
  • Furniture and Signage
  • Heritage
  • Industrial
  • Landscape Master Plan
  • Open Space
  • Public Art
  • Recreation
  • Waterfront
  • Water Sensitive Urban Design [WSUD]

Collaborators
  • WT Partnership
  • HydroPlan
  • Lighting Art+Science
  • Deuce Design
  • Northrop Engineers
  • CHROFI
Black-and-white portrait of Philip Coxall, an older man with curly, white hair and a beard. He is wearing a long-sleeved, black shirt and is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background is plain and light colored.
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Aerial view of Ballast Point Park with various pathways, green spaces, and circular areas. Several structures are scattered throughout the park, and a section of the surrounding urban area is visible on the left side. The park is enclosed by a perimeter wall.
Aerial view of Ballast Point Park featuring a winding path, grassy areas, and a few scattered trees. People are walking, sitting, and enjoying the scenic seaside. A ferryboat is cruising on the blue water beside the park, leaving a white trail.
A scenic view overlooking Ballast Point Park at sunrise or sunset. The sky displays soft pastel hues, with city buildings and a bridge in the distant background. The park includes a blend of green lawns, stone pathways, and a partially blurred vessel on the water.
A wide shot of a rocky cliff at Ballast Point Park with a gravel walkway winding up its side. The cliff features a range of earthy colors from yellow to brown. The foreground has a lush green lawn with young, sparse trees, and the background shows a clear blue sky.
Two people are standing on top of a large rocky structure in Ballast Point Park, adjacent to a massive wall composed of small, uniformly arranged stones. The clear blue sky contrasts with the vibrant colors of the rock and stone wall.
A modern concrete staircase rises against a tall, weathered concrete wall in Ballast Point Park, leading to an upper level with a metal roof structure. Below the stairs, manicured lawns and newly planted trees are set against a natural rock face under a clear blue sky.
Visitors walk around the Westpac War Memorial on top of Mt. Coot-tha in Brisbane, reminiscent of Ballast Point Park. The memorial features towering steel structures, a circular arrangement partially inscribed with text, and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Shadows of the structure fall on the ground.
The image shows three rusted, cylindrical tanks elevated on concrete supports, set in an industrial landscape with a clear blue sky. Some crumbling brick walls and steps are in the foreground, alongside sparse vegetation, suggesting an abandoned site, reminiscent of Ballast Point Park.
A circular kinetic light sculpture with spinning blades stands against a twilight sky in Ballast Point Park. The structure has multiple rows and appears to be in motion, creating a dynamic and captivating visual. The sun is setting in the background, casting a warm glow over the park.
A serene park landscape with a grassy area, young trees, and winding pathways. To the right, there is a unique wall structure with large white diagonal art and a pond. In the background, there are rocky ledges and a metal walkway with text, surrounded by lush greenery at Ballast Point Park.
Ballast Point Park features circular flower beds with metal borders, sparse trees, and tall grass. A rock wall is on the right side, and the backdrop includes a river and distant buildings under a partly cloudy sky.
A stone staircase leads down to a sandy open space with a couple of benches and scattered trees. It is next to a body of water at Ballast Point. Rocky structures and buildings are in the background under a clear, blue sky.
A view of a bridge framed by tall, textured concrete walls in Ballast Point Park. Between the walls, there's a body of water with a boat and part of a railing in the foreground. The sky is clear and blue.
A concrete staircase with multiple levels leads up to a higher platform in Ballast Point Park. The walls are made of plain concrete, and large rocks are embedded in the ground near the stairs. A small green plant grows at the base of one of the stairs.
Two juxtaposed images of Ballast Point Park's coastal fort: the left shows tall concrete walls with the sea beyond, while the right highlights another section of these weathered walls with surrounding vegetation. Paths can be seen leading through the structures in both images.
Aerial view of a lush, green peninsula extending into a body of water, surrounded by sailboats and yachts. The shoreline is dotted with parks like Ballast Point Park and residential areas, while a cityscape with tall buildings and bridges is visible in the background under a clear sky.
A detailed infographic displays various sustainable design elements found at Ballast Point Park, including concrete, retaining walls, timber, biodiversity, site mulch, and energy. Each component lists its composition, such as recycled materials, and environmental outcomes like CO2 savings and energy savings.
Two juxtaposed images of Ballast Point Park's coastal fort: the left shows tall concrete walls with the sea beyond, while the right highlights another section of these weathered walls with surrounding vegetation. Paths can be seen leading through the structures in both images.
Split image: left side shows a park bench next to a tree, backed by a rock-filled wire retaining wall under a clear sky in Ballast Point Park; right side shows a different angle of the same type of wall stretching towards a body of water, with city buildings visible in the distance.
A split image: the left side shows a shaded bench area at Ballast Point Park, overlooking a bay with a view of a bridge. The right side displays an artistic structure with metal and glass panels, set against an industrial backdrop featuring large pipes and urban buildings.
Left: Aerial view of a concrete structure with exposed rebar, showing stairs leading down to a waterside area at Ballast Point Park. Right: Close-up of a metal pitcher embedded among rocks held together with metal wire mesh.
Split image. Left shows a path with rocky walls and a railing overlooking water at Ballast Point Park. Right shows a stone wall with metal lamps and adjacent steps, leading upwards against a blue sky.
Split image: Left side shows sun shining through tree and shadows of tall fence onto the road, with city skyline visible in the distance. Right side displays a curved stone structure at Ballast Point Park, on a grassy area overlooking a large body of water with a bridge and city buildings in the background.
Aerial view of a coastal fortress at Ballast Point Park, with stone walls extending into the water. The structure features multiple levels with trees and pathways. Visitors are dispersed throughout the grounds. The surrounding water is calm, and the sky is clear.

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