The Bennelong Foundation Tan Track Clocks

The first clocks were installed in 2012 to assist users in tracking their run, walk or jog around Melbourne’s iconic 3.8km Tan Track circuit. The clocks were a meeting point for locals and visitors, a start and finish line for races, and a mid-run marker. The clocks galvanized the running community when they began to display a hall of fame. Our challenge was to: - grow user engagement and provide visible encouragement for an active lifestyle - be more inclusive, allowing para-athlete times to be displayed - create an enduring and robust design that could withstand seasonal conditions - streamline the process for updates

City of Melbourne’s City Design studio led the clocks’ re-design, whereby several improvements were achieved: - Integrated LED panels allow for the animated display of information. The result is a dynamic, engaging and inclusive scoreboard with changing displays of para-athlete’s, women’s and men’s times. - The process to update ”best times” was streamlined through a cloud-based system, enabling content to be updated almost instantaneously, and saving time and money. - The monolithic streamlined design allows the clocks to stand as markers in their context. - The subdued materials palette respects and integrates the design with the surrounding natural environment.

Environmentally, the design delivers a functional and enduring product that is respectful of the surrounding National Heritage Place-listed Domain Parklands. Integrated light sensors adjust screen brightness to minimise energy consumption and minimise wildlife impacts. The clocks incorporate reused materials. Societally, the design allows for greater community interaction and inclusion. It promotes health and wellbeing, enables recognition of leading times, celebrates the achievements of para-athletes, women and men and recognises Traditional Owners, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. Commercially, the design ensures that the much-loved Tan Track remains a popular meeting spot and vibrant attraction, supporting economic activity in the local neighbourhood and beyond.

The project has allowed for the following additional key features: - The design has been developed in close consultation with Bennelong Foundation and community to ensure shared ownership of the outcome, which is planned to be in place for decades to come. This is aligned with council goals for Melbourne to be inclusive and sustainable. - A prominent Acknowledgement of Country - “Wominjeka, you are on Wurundjeri Country” was specifically designed for the installation, to identify Traditional Owners and promote Connection to Country. This is aligned to council goals for Melbourne to be an Aboriginal City. - Reuse of materials - This includes: bluestone for the clock base, sourced from council depots; concrete footings, repurposed from the original clocks; and 90% recycled stainless steel for the main clock structure. This is aligned to council goals for Net Zero Emissions and reduced Embodied Carbon. - An animated running figure helps to communicate the purpose of the clocks to people of all ages, cultures and languages.