Cantonment Hill
Cantonment Hill is a significant gateway to Fremantle. Its scale, texture and colours create a unique landmark that has been used over a number of centuries and across diverse cultures for communication.
In 2013, the City of Fremantle embarked on a complex journey to reignite a connection to the cultural place and cater to the recreational demands of an urban asset. Initially a broad Masterplan was defined for public comment. Ecoscape provided the City with a review of the initial Masterplan and then proceeded to work with the community reference group, traditional owners and other consultants to prepare a detailed staged concept plan.
The objective was to provide a mix of opportunities for interaction and communication between visitors within the natural environment and the site’s historic Aboriginal and European stories, whilst providing a variety of passive and active recreational activities. The design solutions largely focus on activating the northern section of the site, known as the Oval and Naval Store, as these two sites are the most visible and accessible by the public.
The first stage focused on integrating equitable access, passive and active recreational spaces and a series of playspaces for various age groups. This stage was identified as a priority to empower the site’s potential and generate awareness and motivation for the City Councillors to garner further funding to implement the remaining stages. Building on the community driven social infrastructure objectives, the first stage completed in 2017, has adaptively reshaped the precinct and embedded it with references to past land use and activity, opening it up for public use. The City are now working with a number of traditional owners to agree on a culturally appropriate name
design projects.
Ecoscape offices are located in Walyalup on the northern banks of the Derbal Yerrigan, on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. We work on many lands throughout Australia and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community and pay our respects to their cultures, ancestors and Elders.