The Victorian Government has released new designs and announced that the 18,000sqm urban garden in the centre of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation will be named Laak Boorndap (pronounced Lark ? Born ? Darp).
The name, Laak Boorndap, was bestowed to the garden by Traditional Owner, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung  Language Elder, Aunty Gail Smith to honour the beautiful place that the garden will create for all. The naming  of the garden is a key step in grounding visitors on Wurundjeri Country and growing representation of First  Peoples cultures across the Arts Precinct.
Aunty Gail Smith says, ?it?s not just a placename, it brings Sky Country, the heavens, and everyone back  together on sacred ground.?  
The garden is designed by the Melbourne studio of international design practice Hassell and New York?s SO-IL,  with internationally renowned horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, who are working closely  with plant expert Jac Semmler from Melbourne company, Super Bloom. Planted entirely on an elevated deck,  this remarkable new public garden is at the forefront of contemporary garden design ? being unique in the world  in its planting density, scale and climate resiliency.  Taking advantage of the relatively mild winters in Melbourne, the garden has been designed to flourish year round, ensuring it is beautiful and ever-changing, and continually fostering biodiversity. The garden showcases  a highly dynamic and multi-layered planting design usi...