INDUSTRIAL WASTELAND TO PUBLIC WETLAND

The site was once a wastewater treatment facility and meatworks factory. Designed by Place Design Group, Archerfield Wetlands plan will see the area revitalised into a thriving public wetland that includes an adventure playground, a youth hub, a space for education and conservation, and a boardwalk that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the wetlands.

The Archerfield Wetlands, which is lodged between the Ipswich Motorway, Archerfield Airport and Bowhill Road, is a “rare gem” within industrial zones, providing the perfect greenspace for transformation into a public locale.

The project is part of the larger Oxley Creed Transformation masterplan, which envisions a 20-year plan for the rejuvenation of the Oxley Creek corridor. 

“Restoration and transformational action will see this former industrial site and surrounding remnant pastoral land become a major new recreation, education and environmental parkland for the region,” explained Nigel Chamier, chair of the Oxley Creek Transformation company. 

The Atrium is a key component of the project that will form the central hub of the Archerfield Wetlands Park, hosting communal facilities that will blur the boundaries between the inside and outside. The Atrium can be entered through a repurposed construction of the plant’s brick tanks.

According to the plan, “The Atrium’s flexible spaces will host events, cultural celebrations, functions, artwork and interpretive displays. A roof canopy [will] float above, providing shade for open-air spaces and places to learn, gather and connect. A large lookout deck along the eastern edge will offer a tranquil outlook over the wetlands.” 

The adventure playground and youth hub are two additional key facilities of the plan. The playground, which sits adjacent to The Atrium, will be constructed with a “post-industrial” vibe that features pipes, tanks and gangways that evoke “a visual link to the past and an imaginative setting for outdoor adventure play for all abilities and ages”. The youth hub sits on the lower terrace and will include a multipurpose game court and a hangout space. 

The Wetlands Discover Trail will take visitors on a 1km walk through the southern edge of the wetland conservation area, beginning from the Archerfield Wetlands Park. The masterplan states that the “interpretive educational experiences that focus on Indigenous cultural heritage and the importance of the wetlands for biodiversity and flood management will engage visitors as they make their way along the trail.” 

“Whether it’s kayaking down the creek, enjoying a coffee at The Atrium, strolling along the boardwalk, shooting hoops at the youth hub or exploring the adventure play space, there will be something for everyone at the parklands,” said Chamier.

The final plan for the Archerfield Wetlands was released 15 October 2019.