Yerrabingin Archives - Redfern News

Aboriginal Design Firm to Oversee Green Upgrades in Redfern

Design firm Yerrabingin has been appointed to lead the next stage of park upgrades in Redfern, focusing on three key community spaces.

Background and Appointment

The City of Sydney has selected Yerrabingin, an Indigenous-owned design practice, to oversee the renewal of three interconnected neighbourhood parks in Redfern. The project builds on a concept plan developed through extensive community consultation and follows earlier engagement work initiated by the City.

The targeted spaces include Redfern Community Centre Open Space, Yellomundee Park, and Hugo Street Reserve—locations closely linked to Redfern’s role in national Aboriginal cultural history.

Redfern park renewal — *Caption: Redfern Community Centre Open Space*
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

Scope of the Project

The renewal will incorporate culturally responsive landscaping and infrastructure upgrades. Works will include a new playground and expanded multi-use space at Redfern Community Centre Open Space, alongside an upgrade of the basketball court at Hugo Street Reserve.

Designs will focus on cooling the urban environment, supporting biodiversity, and maintaining the cultural relevance of the parks. Yerrabingin’s previous work at the South Eveleigh Native Rooftop Farm will be used as a reference point for biodiversity goals.

Redfern parks upgrade — *Caption: South Eveleigh Rooftop Native Garden*
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

Yerrabingin’s Cultural Approach

Established in 2018, Yerrabingin was co-founded by Christian Hampson to challenge traditional planning approaches and promote Indigenous-led outcomes. The firm integrates cultural knowledge with human-centred design, emphasising environmental responsibility and community collaboration.

The name ‘Yerrabingin’ means “we walk together” and originates from the Mooktung language of the Bidawal and Maneroo peoples. The firm is certified by Supply Nation, the First Nation Bushfood and Botanical Alliance Australia, and The Landscape Association.

Indigenous design — *Caption: Hugo Street Reserve*
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

Community Collaboration in Redfern

Yerrabingin has committed to a co-design process involving local input throughout the project’s planning and implementation phases. Their approach acknowledges Redfern’s identity as a culturally safe place and aims to reflect the community’s values while honouring Indigenous heritage.

The initiative aims to meet the needs of long-term residents and new arrivals, offering shared green space in an increasingly dense inner-city environment.

What’s Next for the Renewal

Design work will proceed in alignment with the established vision and community feedback. The final outcome is expected to deliver parks that support cultural connection, recreation, and ecological sustainability as Redfern continues to evolve.

Published 24-July-2025

Yerrabingin to Lead Park Upgrades in Redfern

An Indigenous-owned design firm has been appointed to lead the renewal of three neighbourhood parks in Redfern, working alongside the local community.

Background and Community Vision

Plans to upgrade three public parks in Redfern were endorsed by the City of Sydney in 2024 following extensive community consultation that began in 2022. The parks—Redfern Community Centre Open Space, Yellomundee Park, and Hugo Street Reserve—are central to a suburb nationally recognised for its Aboriginal cultural history and urban activism. The concept design was informed by local input gathered through a series of public feedback rounds between 2022 and 2023.

Aboriginal design — *Caption: South Eveleigh Rooftop Native Garden*
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

Indigenous-Led Approach and Project Scope

Aboriginal-owned design practice Yerrabingin has been appointed to lead the next phase of the renewal, building on a vision co-created with the Redfern community. The project will focus on transforming over 4,500 square metres into greener and more inclusive spaces. Plans include a new playground, shaded barbecue areas, increased lawn space, improved basketball court, and upgraded dog areas. Enhancements to pathways, lighting, and gathering spaces will also support safer movement and recreational use.

Cultural Heritage and Urban Sustainability

Yerrabingin’s approach integrates Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary design principles. The firm will prioritise biodiversity and climate resilience by increasing canopy cover and planting native species to mitigate urban heat. Drawing on its experience at projects such as the South Eveleigh Native Rooftop Farm, Yerrabingin intends to foster ecological balance while embedding cultural narratives into public infrastructure. Their co-design model will ensure continued input from residents throughout the design and delivery phases.

Integration with City Strategies

The Redfern park upgrades align with the City of Sydney’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan. The proposal includes activating Redfern Terrace with a ‘living museum’ to help tell local Aboriginal stories as part of the Eora Journey framework. Improvements are intended to support social cohesion as Redfern continues to densify with new housing developments and a changing demographic.

Project Timeline and Next Steps

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 following the completion of detailed designs. The City of Sydney’s project team will continue to liaise with community members and stakeholders to ensure the spaces reflect both past and present values. Yerrabingin’s involvement is seen as a step toward embedding cultural respect and sustainability in the area’s future growth.

Published 9-June-2025