ALS Recognised in Award-Winning Causeway Link Project
Honouring Culture Through Design
We are proud to share that Aboriginal Land Services (ALS) has been recognised as a key delivery partner in the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges Project, which has just taken out the 2024 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) WA Award for Planning with Country.
This award celebrates what’s possible when Aboriginal perspectives are truly embedded — where cultural values shape every stage of a project, not just the outcome.
ALS’s Role in the Project
Working in collaboration with the Causeway Link Alliance — a team made up of:
- Indigenous Economic Solutions
- Main Roads WA
- Civmec
- WSP Australia
- Seymour Whyte
- 361 Degrees
- Department of Transport WA
- Hassell
- Element Advisory
ALS led critical cultural heritage and community engagement components, including:
- Facilitating early-stage Traditional Owner consultation
- Delivering cultural heritage assessments
- Establishing the Matagarup Elders Group
- Contributing to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan (ACHMP)
These efforts ensured cultural values were embedded in every phase — from planning and design to construction.
Embedding Culture in Design
The cultural features woven into the bridge design speak volumes:
- Wanan (digging stick) and Kylie (boomerang) pylons symbolise ancestral tools but also represent deeper cultural meaning — Wanan, representing women, and Kylie, representing men, flank the bridge to symbolise family at its centre. This is especially significant given Matagarup’s legacy as a birthing site and women’s place.
- A purpose-built corroboree space provides room for gathering and ceremony
- Interpretive signage shares cultural narratives with the public, inviting education and reflection
These elements represent genuine efforts to reflect and respect the cultural significance of Matagarup (Heirisson Island), a sacred place for Whadjuk Noongar people.
Importantly, this was also a project designed to create shared cultural value. The Matagarup Elders envisioned a space where all Western Australians could learn about the Country they walk on — where every ride or stroll across the bridge delivers knowledge, understanding, and connection to Aboriginal culture. By filling in what has long been a missing link in our shared landscape, this project offers an invitation to walk together with greater respect and awareness.
Looking Ahead
This recognition is a reminder that when Aboriginal voices are centred, Country is cared for and culture is upheld. ALS is proud to contribute to work that delivers both meaningful community outcomes and national recognition.
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