Listening to Lake Goollelal
New Accessible Boardwalk Delivered in Partnership with Traditional Owners
It’s now easier than ever to experience the natural beauty of Yellagonga Regional Park, thanks to a brand-new boardwalk at Lake Goollelal — designed in partnership with Whadjuk Traditional Owners and built by Element Construction.
The 380-metre boardwalk opened earlier this year and is already proving popular with the community. A long-standing ambition of the park’s managers, the project was supported by the State Government’s $8.5 million commitment to preserve and enhance Yellagonga Regional Park.
Building with Respect for Country
Working with Traditional Owners at every stage was central to the project. Ben Ugle, representing the Whadjuk Traditional Owners alongside his late father Greg, said the team truly listened to their concerns about protection and conservation.
“Goollelal means ‘listen’, and I think DBCA and Element Construction, they really listened to how we wanted to be able to see this place, protected and shared,” Mr Ugle said.
“The way the place is now, it’s a real testament of customs and cultures coming together. The guys did it justice and they really listened to our concerns of protection and conservation.”
Minimal Impact, Maximum Care
With no previous infrastructure beyond an old concrete path at the lake’s edge, the DBCA design team started from scratch. Guided by the Traditional Owners, the priority was minimal disturbance to the wetlands:
- All footings were installed by hand — no major machinery entered the area
- The only excavations were at the pathway entrances at either end
- The boardwalk was designed to weave around existing trees
- No vegetation was cleared other than invasive species
- Heritage monitors from the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation ensured all cultural heritage recommendations were observed
As Lake Goollelal is a registered site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, surveys were undertaken beforehand and precautions put in place to protect this significant cultural landscape.
What We Built
The competitive tender was awarded to Element Construction, creating approximately 40 jobs during construction with all project components manufactured locally. The result is a 380-metre boardwalk wide enough for wheelchairs and prams, with a viewing area that can accommodate a school group of around 20.
DBCA project manager Sam Cain, who was on board from beginning to completion, said the community feedback has been rewarding.
“A project like this is not only protecting the environment, but enhancing it by enabling people to come down, have a look and enjoy it,” Mr Cain said. “It gives them a greater opportunity to protect the environment, which is very rewarding.”
The boardwalk connects to the existing 4.5km path circuit around Lake Goollelal, popular with bird watchers, dog walkers, and locals who enjoy observing the wildlife. A series of 16 laser-cut stencils illustrate the most commonly seen bird species at the lake, including the Australasian grebe, black swan, and great egret.
Why This Project Matters
Heritage and environmental construction demands a different approach. You’re not just building infrastructure — you’re working on Country, respecting cultural significance, and finding ways to share special places with the broader community without compromising what makes them important.
“As Traditional Owners and Custodians, we say thank you,” Mr Ugle said. “I’m extremely thankful to Sam and DBCA, to be able to engage with us to protect and conserve Country and share it with the community. That’s what it’s all about.”
