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.
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.
Photo Credit: Supplied
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
