GREENING THE PIPELINE

These projects—the Boulder Amphitheatre and the Educational Node and Shelter—have transformed a section of Melbourne’s historic Main Outfall Sewer reserve into a vibrant, sustainable community space.

The Main Outfall Sewer, constructed between 1892 and 1894, was a groundbreaking engineering project designed to solve Melbourne’s 19th-century sanitation crisis. At the time, untreated sewage was contaminating waterways, contributing to widespread disease outbreaks. The sewer network, made up of brick-lined channels, concrete conduits and aqueducts, safely carried waste away from populated areas for nearly 100 years. Decommissioned in 1993, the reserve was repurposed in 2005 as the Federation Trail, a cycling and pedestrian corridor. The Greening the Pipeline initiative, launched in 2015, seeks to transform this corridor into a greener, cooler, and more accessible linear parkland.

Zone 5 West, located between Forsyth Road and Skeleton Creek in Truganina, has been extensively revitalised through landscaping and infrastructure upgrades. PTA Landscapes contributed key elements to this transformation, including the Boulder Amphitheatre and the Educational Node and Shelter. The landscape design was led by Outlines Landscape Architects. Native garden beds featuring hardy, drought-tolerant species were installed as part of the broader works, with steel edging defining and protecting the planting areas. Hundreds of metres of mulch and topsoil were carefully blown in to support plant growth and soil health. Semi-mature trees were planted to establish the framework for future canopy and shade. A network of gravel pathways connects the different spaces, including a turfed kick-about area, providing easy access and encouraging exploration throughout the park.

The Boulder Amphitheatre is a standout feature of this zone. Over 3,000 tonnes of rock were used, with mudstone forming a large naturalistic amphitheatre and staircases, and basalt integrated into surrounding garden beds. This space offers an informal outdoor venue for community events, performances, and gatherings, encouraging social connection within the park.

The Educational Node serves as an active learning space for local schools and community groups. It features custom granite and concrete plinths with recycled plastic seats and pavements crafted from recycled red brick paving. The bricks pay homage to the historic brickwork of the original outfall drain, maintaining a tangible connection to the site’s heritage.

Adjacent to the Educational Node, the circular Shelter straddles the outfall drain with a striking industrial design. Made from weathered Corten steel, galvanized, and stainless steel, the shelter’s roof is fitted with solar panels that power integrated lighting, making it a sustainable and inviting space for outdoor gatherings day or night.

Adding cultural depth to Zone 5 West is the ‘Narrarrang Ngarri’ sculpture by Indigenous artist Kait James, honouring the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations and recognising their longstanding custodianship of the land.

PTA Landscapes’ expert delivery of the Boulder Amphitheatre and the Educational Node and Shelter contracts has helped bring to life the vision of the Greening the Pipeline initiative. This project is reimagining Melbourne’s western suburbs with vibrant green spaces, improved active transport links, and unique community amenities.

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