It’s been one year since the Salthouse Community Centre opened its doors in Haig Park, which marked a significant moment in the park’s community-driven renewal. From plant giveaways to bike workshops, let’s look back on some highlights from the Salthouse’s first year of activating Braddon’s green heart.
Image: Community members learning how to take care of their bikes. Photo credit: Northside Community Service
In October 2023, cycle enthusiasts enjoyed bicycle repairs and workshops from the Canberra Environment Centre. Tens of bikes received fixes and riders learned tips and tricks to keep bikes in shape in the Salthouse’s indoor-outdoor meeting spaces. Northside Community Service treated everyone to a BBQ during the event, thanks to the on-site accessible BBQ.
Image: Ngunnawal artist working on a design during the design workshop.
In September 2023, the City Renewal Authority’s Acton Waterfront project team hosted several emerging Ngunnawal artists at the Salthouse for a collaborative design workshop. The artists worked in the main function room to develop landmark artworks that will be featured in the future destination park at Acton Waterfront, to be called Ngamawari.
Image: People selecting their free plants at the Authority’s plant giveaway in January 2024.
The Authority’s January plant giveaway saw more than 1000 plants given to community members to add a pop of colour to their own gardens. The Salthouse’s large outdoor gathering space was the perfect sunny setting to rehome plants that had previously brought floral colour to City Centre and Braddon streets.
Image: People exploring the Community Centre open day in May 2023.
Local residents’ group the Braddon Collective makes use of the outdoor seating around the Salthouse for their fortnightly meetings. “The landscaping around the park is really fantastic. It’s wonderful to see people using the space! It’s filled a gap that was missing in Braddon,” said Braddon Collective member Amy Jelacic.
“The centre represents an important change in Haig Park. The park is such a large part of the area – it’s a living space that people want to use.”
Image: Luisa Fearnside at the naming ceremony at the Salthouse Community Centre, which honours her late mother Sue Salthouse.
Malcolm Snow, CEO of the City Renewal Authority, says it has been both satisfying and exciting to see how community groups are using the public spaces in and around the Salthouse.
“Alongside markets, family-friendly events and the park’s tranquil setting, the Salthouse Community Centre has been buzzing with people and activity over the last year,” said Mr Snow.
“Haig Park’s transformation has been driven by passionate community members since we embarked on this project several years ago. We are delighted to see that the community has embraced this new destination.”
The transformation of Haig Park began by exploring community aspirations and needs for the park through the Haig Park Experiments, which helped to shape the Haig Park Place Plan.
Since then, accessible pathways and lighting have been installed to make it easier and more convenient to move through the park during the day and the evening.
Named after the late Sue Salthouse to honour her advocacy for people with disabilities, the Salthouse is the jewel in the crown of Haig Park’s renewal. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings to the Salthouse Community Centre.
Do you want to book the centre? Find out how from Northside Community Service.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
