Integrating resilience, nature and Country into maritime design

Designing resilient and enjoyable wharf infrastructure

The wharves are designed to accommodate recreational and future ferry vessels, providing easy, safe access for recreational fishers and a unique overwater space for the public to enjoy. A seaward fixed ramp with all-tide berthing access ensures smooth operation on both sides. Kurnell Wharf stretches 224 metres into the water, while La Perouse Wharf’s striking ‘dogleg’ design reaches 104 metres into the bay. The berthing area extends 80 metres along the shoreline, with a total structure length of 184 metres, featuring a sheltered waiting area, approach jetty, seating, landscaping, signage, lighting, parking and essential utilities.

Our team of engineers, architects, urban designers and maritime infrastructure specialists worked collaboratively to design wharves built for durability and resilience. Designed to withstand harsh wave forces, corrosion, rising sea levels, and climate risks, we selected materials that will endure with minimal upkeep. The architectural design is simple, efficient and in harmony with the maritime setting. Minimal built form and single piles reduce environmental impact, while landscaped areas offer seating, native planting, lookout points, and spaces for gathering and reflection.

Seahorse hotels offset marine impacts and protect endangered species

The wharves are designed to minimise impact on existing marine habitats, including threatened seagrass species. To address unavoidable impacts, we developed a Marine Biodiversity Offset Strategy (MBOS) - the first of its kind in NSW – to ensure no net loss of marine biodiversity in the area.

We created the strategy with input from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Gamay Rangers, Transport and other stakeholders. It includes a 2:1 rehabilitation of Posidonia australis seagrass, 60 m² of artificial seahorse habitat and an eco-friendly boat mooring conversion program.

To offset the loss of habitat for the endangered White’s Seahorse in the area, artificial structures known as seahorse hotels will be installed. These hotels are purpose-built metal units designed to provide increased habitat and encourage habitat connectivity. Initially, they serve as artificial habitats, but once placed in the marine environment, they are rapidly encrusted by algae, sponges, and corals through a process known as biofouling. Over time, the marine growth forms a new scaffolding and structure while the metal corrodes, leaving behind a new natural habitat that serves as perfect homes for seahorses.

Translocation programme restores local sea grass

We developed a three-stage program to relocate and monitor Posidonia australis seagrass, focusing on areas near the project site, including existing meadows and disturbed regions. The program built on a local seagrass research initiative by the Centre of Marine Science and Innovation at the UNSW.

Before construction, UNSW divers relocated approximately 13,000 seagrass shoots from the footprint of the new wharf at Kurnell. Through construction, UNSW and Gamay Rangers collected naturally detached Posidonia australis seagrass fragments from Botany Bay beaches, which were stored in holding tanks, and replanted in Kurnell rehabilitation sites. Replanting will continue for eight to ten years, with a decade-long monitoring program to track progress. The restoration has been underway for about 18 months, showing promising results with over 400m² of restored seagrass – a net gain of 100m² beyond the project’s impact area.

Weaving stories of Country into maritime design

The Kamay Wharves project is the first to achieve a strong Connection with Country outcome under the NSW Government Architect’s guidelines. Our empathetic approach integrated the work of Aboriginal artists, creating a unique identity for La Perouse and Kurnell, linked by simple and resilient architecture. At the start of the project, we established guiding principles for the design process. We tested these through engagement with the La Perouse Aboriginal community, Elders, knowledge holders and local artists to weave their stories into the wharves and landscape design.

We actively involved Aboriginal peoples, organisations, and majority-owned businesses in planning and design, embedding genuine community perspectives into the delivery team. This approach exceeded NSW Government Aboriginal Participation in Construction targets, supporting employment, social and economic opportunities in line with Transport’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation and local Aboriginal artists to integrate celebrated cultural narratives and history with the wharves’ design. The designs reflect the adaptation and evolution of the Aboriginal community, honouring their ancestors and celebrating contemporary cultural practices.

Lighting design protects ecology and improves perceptions of safety

The Kamay Wharves provide a community space for gathering, recreational fishing and connecting with nature. Our lighting strategy aims to create an accessible nighttime experience, reduce impact to the area’s night-time ecology and enhance its beauty.

Monument Track, a 400-metre popular walking path in Kamay Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell, connects the community to the wharves. Previously, the track was dark at night, deterring many, especially women and girls, from using it. Using our Nighttime Vulnerability Assessment tool, we discovered that many would feel unsafe walking the track at night.

To address this, we designed a first-of-its-kind bollard lighting system with warm amber coloured lights that may minimise impact on wildlife and plants. Research suggests that bugs and insects are not attracted to this colour light and is less disruptive to nocturnal animal activity. When the track is in use, the lights temporarily shift to a whiter tone of light, helping people feel safer.

The wharf lighting is integrated into the structure, remaining almost invisible during the day to preserve nature views. At night, the lighting uses motion sensors to detect people. There are two settings: a brighter illumination setting when the wharf is in use and a lower setting when it's not, ensuring safety and conserving energy.

Each wharf features unique Aboriginal artwork within the shelter ceiling, each telling a different story. The artwork connects with nature through the perforated roof and dappling sunlight, and with water through the flooring in the berth structure. We provided daylighting design advice to help these stories come to life.