WE PARTNER WITH
Councils & Local Government
FORGE is a trusted design and delivery partner providing public infrastructure for local councils and government agencies across Australia.
Blacktown is the fastest-growing LGA in NSW. To provide expanded public spaces and much-needed community facilities, Blacktown City Council approved the $27 million transformation of the Mount Druitt Town Centre in late 2019
We work with metropolitan, regional and remote authorities at all levels of government, delivering council-compliant urban structures that respond to diverse environmental and community contexts.
As specialists in public procurement, we understand the priorities of government clients: value for money, compliance and long-term community benefit. Guided by our proprietary FORGE Methodology, we deliver absolute transparency from the earliest planning stages, helping councils manage budgets and expectations with complete confidence.
Whether delivering bridges, boardwalks, shade shelters or park and playground infrastructure, FORGE brings in-house design, engineering and fabrication expertise to streamline approvals and ensure lasting results. We build community infrastructure that is durable, safe and serves the public interest for generations.
Local Government Case Studies
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Tamworth Regional Skywalk
Tamworth Regional SkywalkFORGE was appointed by Tamworth Regional Council to lead the delivery of the $18 million Tamworth Regional Skywalk—a once-in-a-generation community investment featuring a network of elevated boardwalks, viewing platforms and pedestrian bridge rising up from Endeavour Drive to Victoria Park on the eastern fringes of Tamworth.
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Australian Botanic Garden, Shepparton Bridge
Australian Botanic Garden, Shepparton BridgeGreater Shepparton City Council appointed FORGE as lead contractor to design and deliver a custom 55-metre suspension bridge across the Broken River to connect the popular Botanic Gardens to the Shepparton town centre.
Despite numerous challenges—including unstable embankments, repeated flooding and even a magnitude 6.0 earthquake—all structures were successfully delivered as envisioned.
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Dawson Mall Arbour, Mount Druitt
Dawson Mall Arbour, Mount DruittPart of the $27 million transformation of the Mount Druitt Town Centre, FORGE was contracted by Blacktown City Council to detail, manufacture and install a kaleidoscopic curved custom arbour snaking its way through leafy Dawson Mall. As complex to detail as it was colourful to look at, the stunning concept was conceived by CHROFI architects, featuring an interconnected series of giant curved steel tubes, finished with 20km+ of hand-wound steel-cored rope and LED strip lighting.
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Peninsula Playground Broadwater Parklands
Peninsula Playground Broadwater ParklandsDelivered for the City of Gold Coast as part of the multi-million-dollar Broadwater Parklands Masterplan, FORGE was engaged with landscape architects AECOM to deliver a ‘destination’ play structure to attract visitors from across Southeast Queensland and beyond. Inspired by the Gold Coast’s famous coastal lifestyle the vision for the main play tower was to resemble a giant seashell—a wonderfully creative concept that also proved wonderfully complex to achieve.
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Pyes Creek Swing Bridge
Pyes Creek Swing Bridge Delivered for Hornsby Shire Council as part of the $250 million NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, our brief was to design, manufacture and install a new pedestrian bridge across Pyes Creek, while causing minimal impact to the surrounding habitat and residents. The solution was a low-profile 50-metre swing bridge, connecting suburban Cherrybrook to neighbouring Dural.
Local Council Questions
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What public infrastructure services does FORGE provide for local councils?
FORGE is able to design, construct and deliver an extensive range of public infrastructure projects, ranging from pedestrian bridges, cycleways and community boardwalks to bespoke play structures, amenities, shade shelters and public art installations. Our experienced team of in-house designers, engineers, project managers, pre-assembly specialists and installation crews can deliver entirely custom structures to meet any location or community requirements, large or small. Alternatively, we can also call upon our proven range of proprietary FORGE systems to drive major cost and time efficiencies for local councils and the communities they serve.
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Does FORGE build park and playground structures for local government projects?
Yes. FORGE specializes in the design and construction of park and playground infrastructure for local government, with a particular focus on the custom-designed central play structure that defines the entire play environment or park. These landmark structures are purpose-built for each site, balancing play value, safety, durability, creativity and the identity of the area, while setting the town for how the space is experienced by the community. Working in close partnership with councils and their creative teams, we deliver bespoke play structures supported by complementary play elements and site infrastructure, creating cohesive, inclusive and engaging public spaces. The result is award-winning playground environments that become enduring community assets and a source of local pride.
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Are FORGE’s outdoor structures compliant with council standards and Australian Standards?
Always. From an engineering perspective, every structure is designed in line with all relevant AS codes and LGA guidelines, ensuring it safely withstands not only public usage but also critical environmental factors such as soil conditions, wind and weather, tides and potential flooding events. User security considerations extend to the provision of appropriate balustrades, non-slip surfaces, clear sight lines, seamless access points, rest areas and potentially lighting to ensure high-traffic structures feel safe and welcoming at all hours. In the case of community play structures we also engage independent third-party play safety auditors before, during and after construction.
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Can FORGE support councils with concept design and early project planning?
Yes, and in the vast majority of projects we find early engagement like this results in superior project outcomes. Whether FORGE is chosen to lead the entire project or to collaborate as a specialist design and delivery partner, the FORGE Methodology is built upon a wholistic offering that seamlessly combines specialist design, pre-construction planning capability, structural engineering, manufacturing methodology, risk mitigation, pre-assembly, project management and construction expertise, all from one team.
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How does FORGE help councils deliver safe, durable, low-maintenance public structures?
Design and material selection is absolutely critical in maximising the safety, durability and design life of any outdoor community structure. They can also significantly minimise ongoing maintenance requirements. Accordingly, these decisions need to be guided by achieving the desired creative vision in way that is fit-for-purpose for the site and budget today—while also considering the future demands likely to be placed on the community and project stakeholders.
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Does FORGE manage both design and construction for council-led projects?
Yes. While our exact role varies from project to project, the FORGE Methodology is built upon a wholistic offering for local councils. Whether FORGE is chosen to lead the entire project or to collaborate as a specialist design and delivery partner, our process seamlessly combines specialist design, pre-construction planning capability, structural engineering, manufacturing methodology, risk mitigation, pre-assembly, project management and construction expertise, all from one team. Whatever you need, FORGE can provide it.
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Can FORGE help councils prepare documentation for grants and funding applications?
FORGE often does this as part of the design development and approval phase of projects for local councils. Our project and pre-construction managers are highly experienced at liaising with relevant government authorities and funding bodies. Our in-house design team can also prepare detailed concept drawings, 3D renders and videos to assist with funding applications.
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What information does a council need to provide to start a project with FORGE?
Every project begins differently. Sometimes our clients already have a very clear view of what they want. Other times, they’re still forming that view with only a top-level idea of what they’d like to achieve, but no strong view on exactly how to achieve it. Both options are entirely normal. To help us add maximum value to the early stages of your project we’ll sit down to discuss key information including: (1) What is the desired end outcome for your project? (2) What are the characteristics of your project site? (3) What is the project budget and timing?
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How does FORGE ensure community safety during construction in public spaces?
Safety is central to every project decision at FORGE from the design of the structure itself to the way it is manufactured and installed on site. Significant thought is given to materiality, structural integrity and public safety at all times, beginning with a thorough analysis of the site, access points, community surroundings and any potential OH&S issues during the pre-construction phase, long before site works begin. To minimise site risks, we also pre-assemble as many of the key structural elements as possible, significantly reducing installation time onsite and community disruption (for example, noise, road closures or detours).
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What materials does FORGE use for council infrastructure projects?
Materials are highly dependent on project variables such as site, soil and weather conditions, creative intent, volume of usage, AS standards and, of course, your budget. Having said that, at FORGE we always prefer to work with high strength, lightweight materials using fit-for-purpose fixings and protective coatings as required. Some of the more commonly used materials on FORGE projects include sustainably sourced Australian hardwood timber, galvanised steel, stainless steel and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) minimesh, mostly for decking
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Can FORGE customise material specifications for different council environments?
Customising material specifications for different council environments and sites is a critical part of every outdoor community structure we deliver. Ensuring the materials chosen are fit-for-purpose is essential to maximise safety, usability and design life, whilst also minimising the need for future maintenance—and when maintenance is required, ensuring the process is as simple and cost-effective as possible.
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How does FORGE ensure durability and low maintenance through material choice?
Every community structure will have its own maintenance requirements to help maximise its durability and design life based on its location, usage, design and materials. FORGE actively designs and specifies community structures to stand the test of time with minimal ongoing maintenance. Where maintenance is required, we provide full recommendations and scheduling guides at the final handover.
Where We Work
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Does FORGE build public infrastructure for councils in NSW/QLD/VIC/WA/SA/ACT/NT?
Yes. Each year FORGE designs and builds public infrastructure for LGAs across Australia. Our portfolio of projects for local councils spans metropolitan and regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Queensland, SA, WA and the NT. At last count we have successfully delivered projects for more than 100 different Australian councils.
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Does FORGE work with regional and remote councils?
FORGE has considerable experience in delivering outdoor public infrastructure in remote and regional communities. Our portfolio includes successful projects for LGAs in Cooroy and Dalby in Queensland, Shepparton and Horsham in Victoria, and Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Glen Innes and Tamworth in NSW.
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Does FORGE partner with local suppliers and subcontractors in each council area?
Yes. Wherever possible, FORGE prioritises working with local suppliers, trades and service specialists within each council area. Through our GrassrootsTM program, we actively seek opportunities to direct project spend back into the local economy by engaging local contractors and support services.This approach not only strengthens regional capability and employment, but also benefits project delivery. Locally based partners bring valuable site knowledge, are highly responsive, and contribute to safer, more efficient builds. By balancing our national scale with a strong local footprint, FORGE ensures council projects deliver lasting value both in the infrastructure itself and in the community it supports.
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How does FORGE support local jobs and economies during council projects?
FORGE supports local jobs and economies by combining national capability with a strong local delivery model. While some specialist products and services are delivered through long-term, trusted partners, we actively engage local trades, subcontractors and service providers wherever possible on council projects. Through our Grassroots program, FORGE prioritises reinvesting project spend into the communities in which we work. We support local employment, strengthen regional supply chains and build long-term industry capability. This approach ensures council projects deliver value beyond the asset itself, creating lasting economic and social benefits for the local area.
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Does FORGE have local teams or facilities in each state?
FORGE operates a national delivery model supported by dedicated pre-assembly facilities and experienced project teams deployed across Australia. Our in-house design, pre-construction and construction teams allow us to mobilise efficiently in metropolitan, regional and remote locations, regardless of state or territory. Wherever projects are delivered, FORGE complements its national capability by engaging local contractors, suppliers and service partners, ensuring strong local presence on the ground while maintaining consistent, quality, safety and compliance standards nationwide.
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Can FORGE deliver projects for coastal, bushland, flood-prone or environmentally sensitive areas for local councils?
Yes. FORGE specialises in the design and construction of complex outdoor community structures in environmentally sensitive, remote and flood-impacted locations. We have successfully delivered many projects within coastal zones, nature reserves and culturally significant sites, using proven ‘light touch’ design and construction approaches that maximise community value and design life, whilst minimising environmental impacts both during and after construction.
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How does FORGE manage logistics for council projects in hard-to-access or remote areas?
Effectively and safely managing site logistics is a fundamental part of every project delivered by FORGE. When collaborating on council projects in hard-to-access, remote or environmentally sensitive areas, particular care is taken to identify, understand and mitigate any potential access and construction challenges during the initial design and pre-construction stages. By involving the project team's key delivery stakeholders via the FORGE Methodology, the most relevant and cost-effective options can be explored and agreed well before site works commence, therefore eliminating the need for costly design variations or last-minute changes to the construction methodology.
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Does FORGE specify materials suitable for coastal councils and high-corrosion environments?
Yes, we do. In fact, many of our most successful community structures over the years have been delivered in extremely harsh coastal and corrosive environments. Design is a critical factor in optimising design life and minimising ongoing maintenance, as is the specification of fit-for-purpose materials, fixings and protective finishes.
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Can FORGE recommend materials suited to regional or remote council conditions?
No two outdoor public structures, or locations, are ever quite the same. Accordingly, FORGE treats the design and materiality of every project on its unique merits. Our team of in-house design and delivery specialists will make project-specific recommendations after considering a wide range of factors such as the project’s size, location, climate, design intent, likely usage and budget.
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What materials does FORGE use for projects in bushfire prone areas?
No outdoor structure is 100% secure from the natural elements such as storms, flooding and fire. However clever design and materiality choices can greatly reduce the likely of damage in such instances. FORGE actively specifies fit-for-purpose materials for every project we deliver including those situated within communities that are prone to the risk of bushfires. In addition to using materials and fixings that are better able to withstand the destructive heat and smoke impacts of bushfires, and avoiding materials that aren't, we also design and orient these structures in such a way to minimise potential fire exposure and damage risk in the first place.
FORGE Delivered
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What experience does FORGE have working with Australian local councils?
FORGE has been partnering with local councils across Australia for more than 50 years. Our portfolio of LGA projects spans metropolitan and regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and South-East Queensland. At last count we have successfully delivered projects for more than 100 different Australian councils.
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What makes FORGE a reliable partner for local government projects?
FORGE has been partnering with local councils and LGAs across Australia for more than 50 years, successfully delivering hundreds of high-quality outdoor infrastructure projects that connect local communities. We have a deep understanding of procurement and approvals processes and know the critical need to provide you and your stakeholders with ongoing transparency and procedural rigour from the very start of your project to its end. Guided by our proven FORGE Methodology, we bring a truly holistic in-house delivery capability that provides maximum clarity, continuity and confidence.
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How does FORGE ensure compliance with council policies, safety requirements and environmental regulations?
Identifying, understanding and adhering to council policies and requirements is a fundamental part of every FORGE project, as is ensuring compliance with all relevant Australian standards and environmental regulations. Complementing this process, FORGE is also fully certified for Environmental Management (ISO 14001), Quality Management (ISO 9001) and OHS Management (ISO 45001). To ensure specific council policies and bespoke projects requirements are met, FORGE will undertake detailed reviews and provide continuous monitoring and reporting as specified in the contract.
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Can FORGE provide references or case studies from previous council projects?
You can view detailed case studies from past FORGE projects in the portfolios section of our website. We can also provide additional project information on request including client testimonials and contact details.
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What quality assurance processes does FORGE follow on council-led builds?
The FORGE Methodology is certified under ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and proven through the successful delivery of hundreds of council-led projects. As part of our robust quality processes, FORGE provides project-specific planning and documentation, a controlled pre-assembly facility, as well as strict site management procedures including quality audits as required.
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How does FORGE manage risk and community disruption on council projects?
FORGE are specialists at minimising community risks and disruptions on council projects. By gaining a deep understanding of the project site and its surroundings during the pre-construction stages, the most seamless delivery methodology is developed and agreed. This typically takes into account issues such as residential access, traffic restrictions, community noise limits, local habitat and fauna preservation and of course maintaining complete public safety at all times. One of the main ways we minimise community risks and disruptions on site is by pre-assembling structural elements off-site wherever possible—significantly reducing the amount of installation time required on site with heavy machinery such as cranes.
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Does FORGE offer long-term support, maintenance or inspections for council assets?
Every outdoor community structure will have its own maintenance requirements to help maximise its design life based on its location, usage, design and materials. FORGE provides full maintenance recommendations and scheduling guides at the final handover. Many of our clients choose to manage this themselves, however ongoing maintenance arrangements can be negotiated on a project-by project basis.
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How does FORGE ensure transparency and communication throughout a council project?
Having a consistent FORGE project team from concept to completion is a central pillar of the FORGE Methodology, along with a commitment—and documented process—that ensures frequent and ongoing communication between key project stakeholders. All project deliverables, milestones and budget commitments are clearly defined before the construction contract is signed and then strictly adhered to.
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What steps does FORGE take to deliver projects on time and within council budgets??
The FORGE Methodology is specifically designed to deliver outdoor community infrastructure projects with unrivalled clarity and confidence. By anticipating risks, streamlining workflows and engaging a consistent team of in-house specialists, projects are delivered to the highest standard with industry-leading efficiently. Variations and redesigns are significantly reduced, if not eliminated entirely. Budget and scope creep is mitigated. Quality and value are enhanced. Milestones are met. Our integrated project team takes full responsibility for every stage of the project—from initial concept through to final handover—reducing risk, saving time and ensuring certainty at every step.
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Does FORGE offer guidance on sustainable or low-impact material options for council projects?
Yes. FORGE has extensive experience in delivering outdoor community structures that maximise environmental sustainability. From elevated wetlands boardwalks and bridges to inclusive playgrounds, shade shelters and public amenities, we assist local councils to ensure every structure’s design and materials have the lightest possible environmental footprint while still meeting all functional and safety requirements of the project brief. During the all-important design phase, we take active steps to minimize, and often completely eliminate, the need for heavy machinery on site, reducing noise, emissions and habitat disruption. Specifying hard-wearing and lightweight materials can also significantly reduce the amount of future maintenance required.
More Local Gov. Projects.
FORGE has been partnering with local councils for over 50 years. Here are more of our completed LGA projects in metropolitan and regional communities across Australia.
- Ian Stromborg Play Space
- B.E.S.T
- Field of Mars Reserve
- Glen Innes Highlands Skywalk
- Kooloonbung Creek Bridge
- Maude Street Mall Shelters
- Oatley Bush Park Playground
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Ian Stromborg Play Space
Paul Keating Park is located in the heart of Bankstown in south-western Sydney. A new 20-year masterplan for the Park was adopted by Council in December 2020 and a key pillar was the creation of a bespoke community playground, today known as the Ian Stromborg Play Space.
After being appointed as the successful tenderer, Regal Innovations embarked on a design finalisation process involving ASPECT Studios and FORGE. This included the hero play experience – an interconnected series of ‘Banksia Pod’ play structures, slides and nature play elements ranging from 4-6 metres high. -
B.E.S.T
Located within Blacktown International Sportspark, the Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) represents a multi-million-dollar strategic investment by Blacktown City Council. Driven by the wider ambition to transform Blacktown into an internationally-recognised region of excellence for sports, training and technology, FORGE was engaged in 2020 to deliver a series of towering, fully interactive Shade and Play structures — each designed to harness the emerging concept of ‘Physical Literacy’.
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Field of Mars Reserve
The City of Ryde Council choose FORGE as their sole construction partner, based on a proven track record of delivering similarly complex solutions within sensitive surrounds.
Guided by our proprietary project methodology, our involvement began with brainstorming sessions involving Design-Led Engineers and Structural Specialists. From here the MARS Boardwalk System was identified as the most suitable construction solution, with a series of prototypes developed to test materiality and construction techniques prior to full-scale installation. -
Glen Innes Highlands Skywalk
Glen Innes Severn Council was seeking to deliver a series of high-profile community infrastructure upgrades as part of its Centennial Parklands Master Concept Plan. FORGE was engaged to design and deliver one of the most anticipated new elements: a spectacular public ‘skywalk’ providing uninterrupted views of Glen Innes township and the picturesque Northern Tablelands.
Stretching 80 metres from end to end, a network of customised raised boardwalks and all-access viewing platforms was created based on our proprietary Waterside system. The project presented its share of obstacles and challenges. But precision design detailing, coupled with ongoing involvement from our inhouse Pre-Construction team, enabled us to resolve the bulk of these long before the delivery phase began. It resulted in a seamless install and brilliant outcome for the people of Glen Innes with a structure the entire community can enjoy for decades to come. -
Kooloonbung Creek Bridge
Delivering safe, seamless and iconic new infrastructure for Port Macquarie.
Port Macquarie is a popular tourist town on the mid-north coast of NSW. As part of the master plan for its iconic foreshore, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council appointed FORGE to help design and install a new pedestrian/cycleway bridge that was both beautiful and ecologically sensitive.
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Maude Street Mall Shelters
Following an earlier collaboration at the nearby Australian Botanic Garden, FORGE was entrusted to deliver a complex series of architectural shelters by Greater Shepparton City Council.
Part of the $17 million Maude Street Mall redevelopment in the heart of the Shepparton CBD, the high-profile project saw us work closely with Group GSA Landscape Architects to bring the Council’s preferred design concepts to life. Once the final approach was approved, we then partnered with the lead contractor, Jarvis Delahey (JD) Contractors, to manufacture and install the fully-custom shelters. -
Oatley Bush Park Playground
Following an open tender, FORGE was appointed by Georges River Council to deliver a new nature-based playground on the site of the old Oatley Steamroller Park.
Briefed under the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ guidelines, this richly inclusive play space features a 12-metre play tower and slide, flying fox, junior play items, custom swings, four shelters, picnic furniture, soft fall zones and extensive landscaping.
