The proposed Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges (CPCB) span the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) from the eastern banks of Point Fraser within the City of Perth, touching down on Heirisson Island before continuing to McCallum Park in the Town of Victoria Park.

The new bridges will consist of two cable stayed bridges, approximately 90 metres downstream of the existing Causeway Traffic Bridge, comprising a six-metre-wide segregated path. There will be dedicated rest points along the bridges, which are being built for pedestrians and cyclists only.

The site is on Whadjuk Noongar boodja (country) with the shallows and mud flats of what is now known as Heirisson Island having a high level of integrity as a continual and significant river crossing point of Boorloo (Perth) since well before the arrival of colonists in 1829. It is a registered Aboriginal Heritage Site for its ongoing significance as a cultural, camping, hunting and meeting place, and as a significant plant resource site.

element prepared a Cultural Narrative and Heritage Interpretation Strategy with the aim that through interpretive architectural and landscape design, and beautiful public art, the Causeway Bridges will showcase Whadjuk Noongar Culture to the world.

Together with the Causeway Link Alliance, Local Governments, Traditional Owners (the Matagarup Elders Group), and other agencies, element’s teams have been leading the Heritage Interpretation Strategy, Signage and Wayfinding, and Public Art direction.

We have crafted a public art vision for the project: ‍

Public art for the Causeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridges will reflect Noongar culture and connections to this place – both ancient and contemporary. The commissions will reflect the importance of this site and facilitate a deeper engagement with the history of the site for visitors.

In response to the public art vision, and developed through engagement with the Matagarup Elders Group, three significant public art opportunities have been identified for the project, including; large scale sculptural entry markers and a central sculpture on Heirisson Island, a series of ground-plane artworks, and four mural artworks.

Our Arts & Culture team has since coordinated an extensive Expression of Interest process to engage Noongar artists for each artwork opportunity, guiding the evaluation and selection process to ensure artwork outcomes will reflect authentic engagement with the cultural significance of the places, and align with the determined public art vision.

Moving forward, element will be managing the contracting of artists and subsequent delivery of all artworks. Final works are expected to be completed in 2024.

Check back soon for outcomes.

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• Detailed Public Art Strategy
• Ongoing engagement with Matagarup Elders Group
• Detailed public art briefs
• Management of Expression of Interest and selection process
• Expression of Interest portal and social media advertising
• Ongoing management of the artwork contracts