Rewilding Melbourne: Reimagining Our Living Landscape — Melbourne Design Week

IMG LINK

Rewilding Melbourne: Reimagining Our Living Landscape: Presented by Collectivity Talks Melbourne Design Week

of

For Melbourne Design Week, Rewilding Melbourne brings together a multidisciplinary panel of experts for a public discussion on how indigenous plants and traditional land management approaches can transform our cities into resilient, biodiverse environments.

As Melbourne faces unprecedented climate challenges, its European-inspired urban landscapes are becoming increasingly unsustainable. With predictions suggesting current city trees won’t survive rising temperatures, we must urgently rethink our approach to urban nature.

This forward-thinking panel brings together experts and innovators to explore how indigenous plants and traditional land management approaches can transform our cities into resilient, biodiverse environments. The discussion will examine urban interventions and radical new approaches to urban landscaping that could reshape Melbourne’s future relationship with nature, creating a meaningful, living connection to country and recognition of First Nations Culture.

Panel participants include Bob Earl (co-founder of OCULUS), Associate Professor Claire Farrell (Director, Burnley Campus, University of Melbourne), Dr Jen Mason (Council Member, Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council), and Nicholas Reece (Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne). The discussion will be chaired by Genevieve Brannigan (Founder and Director, Communications Collective).

Participants

  • Bob Earl, Director, OCULUS: Bob Earl co-founded OCULUS, which has studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Washington D.C. He has more than 35 years of experience in landscape architecture and urban design across Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Bob’s work is focused on the impact of public space on the life of cities. He believes public space is a canvas to be acted upon in unexpected ways and is a force that shapes the culture of our urban environment. He is committed to open collaboration and exploring ideas that arise through listening, doing and making with others. Bob pushes the practice to constantly evolve, with people, ideas, and making at its heart.
  • Claire Farrell, Associate Professor and Director, Burnley Campus, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne: Claire’s research involves using plants to make cities more liveable through urban greening. As a plant scientist, her focus is on plant selection for survival and high performance landscapes, including green roofs, facades, rain gardens and Woody Meadows. Claire led the ARC linkage Woody Meadow Project which continues to transform low maintenance plantings in Australian cities due to their innovation, sustainability and low cost. Claire currently leads the Arts Precinct Plant Trials at Burnley which are testing plants for Laak Boordaap, a 18 000 m2 garden in Melbourne’s Arts Precinct.
  • Dr Jen Mason, Council Member, Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council: Dr. Jen Mason, a Wamba Wamba and Dhudhuroa descendant, is dedicated to protecting and revitalising cultural heritage through First Peoples’ approaches to caring for Country. Her work integrates cultural knowledge, environmental health, and resource management to ensure Indigenous perspectives shape conservation and governance. A Postdoctoral Research Fellow at ANU, Jen documents oral histories and examines biases in mainstream knowledge systems. She serves on research committees and the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council, advocating for Indigenous leadership. Her creative practice in photography, fi lm, and writing supports knowledge preservation. Through collaboration, she fosters Indigenous-led solutions for sustaining cultural heritage and identity.
  • Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne: Nick Reece was sworn in as Lord Mayor of Melbourne in July 2024 and re-elected in November 2024. He was fi rst elected as a councillor at the City of Melbourne in 2016 and was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor in 2020. Nick serves as portfolio head of the City Infrastructure portfolio and deputy for the Finance, Governance and Risk portfolio – these cover a range of responsibilities and activities which are core to council business. As Deputy Lord Mayor, Nick helped steer the city through some of its darkest days during the Covid lockdowns and the subsequent recovery. With a long history of public service and experience in business, law and journalism, Nick brings a deep understanding of Melbourne life to the role of Lord Mayor.
  • Genevieve Brannigan, Director, Communications Collective (Panel Chair): As founder of Communications Collective, Genevieve is a recognised expert in Australia’s cultural and built environment landscape. With extensive experience spanning the property, architecture, design, and arts sectors, she develops effective communication strategies connecting communities with transformative spaces. Genevieve has advised leading global design practices and industry bodies including the Australian and American Institutes of Architects. Alongside curating events for prestigious festivals including Melbourne Design Week, she founded Collectivity Talks to provide a platform for thought leaders and changemakers to connect and explore key issues. Her visionary approach and international network have established her as an influential voice in shaping how we experience and engage with place.

 

Event details

  • Presented by Collectivity Talks
  • WHEN: Thu 22 May. 6 – 7.30pm
  • WHERE: Woods Bagot, 498 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC, Australia
  • ACCESS: Assistance animals welcome, seating available, wheelchair accessible
  • TICKETS: Book now

More green updates