Concrete and city buildings: a Pollinator Link?

By: Michael Fox

Cities can surprise us. Who would expect to find a two kilometer long park of wildflowers two stories above New York streets? The High Line creates a wildlife corridor through high rise city buildings linking people with people and people with birds, butterflies and bees.

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Concrete, bitumen and corrugated iron

Sydney also has surprises for us. The Goods Line is creating a Pollinator Link through a matrix of high rise buildings, old corrugated iron warehouses and city roads.

The project started in December 2011 when the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority appointed the Principal Consultant, ASPECT Studios to develop a design:
“… that captures and interprets the original heritage corridor, state significant rail underbridge and signal box. The objective is to create a great new public space for pop-up events, invigorating and bringing new activity into the precinct.” Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

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Wildflower meadow among concrete and steel

August 2015: The Goods Link north opens.

Beautiful wildflowers are now growing where in a hostile city environment of concrete and steel. At this time it does not look much. However, like the High Line it takes years for the vision to really come alive, the plants grow and birds, butterflies and bees move into the new habitat.

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Adults can play here!

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It will be some years before the habitat attracts local pollinators. People can play here right now!

I tried out the mini canal system with my daughter. Adults can have fun activating the water from mushroom fountains then blocking the flow with mini-canal locks.

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Don’t want to play? Try the gym.

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Don’t want to play hydrologic engineer?

Try out the outdoor gym equipment.

The Goods Line passes through the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) campus. The Chau Chak Wing building provides and interesting architectural background to this space.

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Ping-pong anyone?

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Or perhaps invite some friends to a game of ping-pong.

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A seat in Sydney sun

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Or take a seat and soak-up the sun.

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Goods Line signal levers

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The Goods Line also preserves some of the history of this part of Sydney.

The original levers from the Ultimo Street Signal Box are an interesting part of the fabric of this special place.

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UTS Business School lecture room

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Being part of a university campus creates unique opportunities for different segments of the community to mix.

Studying in the stunning architecture of UTS Business School must be an amazing experience but it is still inside.

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Take your laptop and study outside

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Need a break outside?

Grab your laptop, pick up a coffee on the way to a specialised study table under the trees, plug in your laptop and enjoy study time in a vibrant community space.

The Goods Line is a special Sydney surprise worthy of a visit.

Even the Rangers seem to love their work with the public visiting The Goods Line. The Rangers I talked to were friendly and welcoming.