Gungahlin Homestead estate is located on Ngunnawal Country, an ancient and diverse landscape managed and cared for by Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years. Our design approach honours this deep connection to Country, guided by the wisdom and knowledge contained in the landscape itself.
Rather than imposing a predetermined vision on the landscape, we work with the natural flow of the land - its topography, water systems, and existing vegetation. This principle reflects the need to understand and respect the natural elements of the site before considering where and how to place new development.
The site sits between the Gungaderra Grasslands Nature Reserve and the Crace Grasslands Nature Reserve, creating a vital ecological corridor. Our development preserves and enhances these connections, ensuring that wildlife can continue to move through the landscape as they have for millennia.
Central to our approach is the concept of reciprocity - giving back to Country rather than simply taking from it. This means actively improving the landscape through regenerative design practices. We are not just preserving 90 per cent of existing trees; we are creating new habitat areas and strengthening green corridors by implementing appropriate native plant species.
Our water management strategy treats water as a living system, allowing for the preservation and enhancement of its cultural and spiritual values. The health of water is culturally important, and our integrated approach to water quality planning ensures these systems remain healthy and connected.
The vision for our community transcends cultural differences, highlighting values that unite us across the diverse cultures of contemporary Canberra. We are creating spaces for people to collaborate and invest in creative projects, land management, and community care - fostering a sense of custodianship over the site and its potential for regeneration.
This includes opportunities for residents and local First Nations Peoples to participate in traditional land management services and micro-business enterprises, ensuring that the deep knowledge of Country continues to guide the site's future.
