
‘Iconic’ Boorloo bridge opens in Perth
By PETER ROWE
The Boorloo Bridge recognises ‘Boorloo’ as the Noongar name for Perth and the design has embedded Whadjuk Noongar cultural recognition, acknowledging the Aboriginal heritage significance of Heirisson Island and the Swan River.
The bridge, constructed 90 metres downstream of the existing heritage-listed Causeway Bridge in Perth, was officially opened on the weekend with WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti describing it as a “once in a generation opportunity to deliver a desperately needed piece of critical infrastructure”.
Boorloo Bridge recognises Boorloo as the Noongar name for Perth and the design has embedded Whadjuk Noongar cultural recognition, acknowledging the Aboriginal heritage significance of Heirisson Island and the Swan River.
The area around the bridge has also been transformed with significant landscaping, including around 100,000 new plants, trees and shrubs. New seating and rest areas, as well as public art on the bridge abutments have also been completed.
Around 17,000 LED lights have been installed around the 64 steel cables, turning the bridge into a stunning lighting feature over the Swan River.
The lighting will turn the bridge into a digital canvas using colour, movement, and imagery, and promote Perth and Western Australia to local, national, and global audiences.
The bridge features a 52-metre-high boomerang pylon on the city side and two 46-metre-high digging stick pylons on the Victoria Park side. A total of 64 steel cables help to suspend the bridge from the three pylons.
Stretching from Victoria Park to Point Fraser in Perth’s CBD via Heirisson Island, the new bridge will significantly enhance connectivity, safety, and amenity for approximately 3,000 pedestrians and cyclists that currently use the path on the Causeway Bridge.
“We’ve never seen a structure like this in Perth and I think the community will be blown away when they see it for the first time,” Ms Saffioti added.
“Not only do we have a new bridge that will serve the community for many decades to come, but we also now have a stunning new light feature that will be an iconic landmark on the Swan River.”