Bradfield City stands on ancient land
Woven with the enduring heritage of Aboriginal people, this unique area is part of a continuous story. A story that honours deep cultural connections, knowledge, and custodianship of Country.
Building Bradfield City presents an important opportunity to thoughtfully design buildings, parks, and public spaces that are sensitive to Country. The Bradfield Development Authority acknowledges our responsibility to protect and enhance the landscape’s natural and cultural values, ensuring that new development celebrates the living history of Aboriginal people.
Through collaboration with Traditional Custodians, the Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC), local Aboriginal stakeholders and our project partners, Bradfield Development Authority is setting a high standard for connecting and designing with Country.
Connecting to Country
Designing with Country is foundational in bringing the deep knowledge of history into Australia’s first new city in 100 years. Its impacts can already be felt in our work.
The award-winning First Building is a design collaboration between Hassell and cultural design and research agency Djinjama. Narratives of Country that represent Wianamatta (Mother Place) are embedded into the building’s design and landscaping.
Second Building will continue to showcase a connection to Country, with Indigenous design practice Bangawarra part of the design team alongside Architectus and Aileen Sage.
The iconic 2-hectare Central Park will feature plants that are endemic to the Cumberland Plain, helping to restore the landscape. Central Park’s striking Sky Ring feature reflects Big Sky Country, and its Woven Play areas are designed in collaboration with Dharug creatives.
In First Building's outdoor landscaping, native planting thrives amongst a water feature, rammed earth seating, and a curved design that reflects Country. Image by Evan Maclean.
Forging a partnership
In September 2025, BDA proudly signed a Partnering Agreement with the Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards Reconciliation and shared prosperity at Bradfield City.
This landmark Agreement is built on a foundation of mutual respect, truth-telling, and a commitment to honouring Aboriginal heritage. It embodies the shared vision of both organisations to foster a Bradfield City where industry, education, and Aboriginal communities work side by side to create a stronger, more inclusive future.
Members of Jannawi Dance Clan perform a welcoming dance outside the First Building at the Women Who Launch event.
A yarning circle outside the First Building is an important opportunity to gather, reflect and share a cultural practice.
Dr Melissa Williams, Uncle Tony Scholes and Ken Morrison mark the signing of a historic Partnering Agreement between Bradfield Development Authority and Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council.
"We’re proud to be working alongside Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council to ensure Bradfield is a place of cultural significance, economic opportunity, and community pride."
Koori Perspectives Circle
The Koori Perspectives Circle (KPC) provides a vital platform for Aboriginal stakeholders and partners to actively engage with Bradfield Development Authority (BDA) on the future planning and evolution of Bradfield City.
Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, the KPC ensures that Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in every step of Bradfield City’s development.
To help shape Bradfield City into a truly inclusive and culturally respectful precinct, we are forging strong relationships with both recognised and emerging Aboriginal leaders. These leaders are not only influential but are also deeply connected to Aboriginal communities throughout Western Sydney, ensuring that the voices and aspirations of local First Nations peoples are meaningfully represented.
About the artwork
This beautiful artwork was created by Western Sydney Darug Aboriginal artists Trevor Eastwood and Jason Douglas (Dalmarri) for the Bradfield Development Authority to represent the land we work on, the work we’re doing, the communities we work with, and our reconciliation journey.
Garungarung Murri Murri Nuru (Beautiful Great Grass Country)
Western Sydney is shaped by the flat plains around Wianamatta-South Creek, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and the hills up to the Blue Mountains.
We acknowledge that Bradfield City sits on D(h)arug land. We also acknowledge the Dh(th)arawal, Gundun(gura/gara) peoples who also have custodial care obligations for the broader Western Sydney area, and others who have passed through this Country for trade and care purposes.
The songlines represent the many layers of the Cumberland Plains area, including the grassy open plains with native grasses like the Lomandra and Dianellas, found across this magnificent Country.
The rich red earth is striking, full of sandy outcrops with engraving markings including the tall eucalyptus trees and plants, providing food and medical benefits for our people.
Connecting all of this is the lands and animals-totems, sustained by the life-giving waterways that nurture and provide for all.
This artwork depicts the many clans that travelled along the waterways, paying respect and ceremony of the waterway ensuring they are always cared for and looked after.
In the stunning Western Sydney afternoon dusk skies, our ancestors are forever looking over us, protecting, guiding, and spiritually connecting us in life.