Canberra Centenary Trail
Client: Shared Services Procurement and Parks and City Services
The Canberra Centenary Trail is a 145km walking and touring cycling loop trail through urban and rural areas of Canberra, from the northern border to Tuggeranong Town Centre. Created to celebrate the Centenary of Canberra in 2013, the trail provides access to and through major open spaces around Canberra including through areas previously closed to the public. Designed in partnership with Fresh Landscapes, the trail was opened in October 2013.
The project concentrated mainly on the new trail sections (approximately 30 kilometres) needed to connect the existing trail sections into a complete loop. A non-vehicular access campground and several bridges and photo points were also provided and a signage strategy and implementation process was developed for the whole trail.
Two major sections of the new trail, along the Murrumbidgee River corridor and the northern border of the ACT, traverse challenging terrain and provide new opportunities for people to interact with native grasslands and woodlands as well as enjoy physical activity and spectacular views.
The construction methodology was developed following best practice trail design and construction based on experience in previous projects. The trail documentation prescribed specific construction methodology that was implemented to an extremely high standard by the construction contractor Makin Trax. The end result allows all Canberrans to experience the complexity and the diversity of Canberra’s landscape at a deeper level.
The project demonstrates how ecological constraints and obstacles can be resolved through appropriate design, siting and construction management. The health and economic benefits to the community demonstrate the benefit of well-resourced and maintained green infrastructure projects to revitalise the environment and local communities.