Sustainable Landscapes

Strand Square in Mawson Lakes

A sustainable landscape is a healthy and resilient landscape that will endure over the long term without the need for high input of scarce resources such as water. The natural functions and processes of the landscape are able to maintain themselves into the future.

There are 8 main principles in the design of a sustainable park or garden:

It is well-designed to suit local environmental conditions
It contains carefully selected water-wise plants
It contains plants that will not become environmental weeds
It conserves water by using mulch, efficient irrigation, watering only when necessary and grouping plants with similar water needs together
It provides a habitat for local native fauna such as small birds, butterflies, bats, lizards and frogs
It avoids the use of pesticide or other chemicals that can harm the natural insect populations and other beneficial organisms
It consumes minimal non-renewable energy in construction and maintenance
It uses sustainable and locally sourced materials and products, and avoids materials such as rocks, pebbles or wood collected from wild landscapes.

We can all contribute to a healthy and sustainable future by using these principles to guide our public and private parks and gardens.

The Sustainable Landscapes project is a collaborative partnership between the Land Management Corporation, Innovation and Economic Opportunities Group (through the Mawson Lakes Economic Development Project), Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board, SA Water Corporation and the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide (Department of Environment and Heritage).

Mawson Lakes Development is very proud to be associated with the project and there are many initiatives being included within the project. These include:

A demonstration site in Strand Square
Two smaller demonstrations in the Linkages off Mawson Lakes Boulevard in Shearwater
Cavalier Display Home in Shoalhaven

Questions and Answers from the Sustainable Landscapes Information Session.

Thanks to all who attended the recent Sustainable Landscapes Information Seminar. A number of interesting queries were made, for which we have now tracked down the answers.

For those who missed out on the seminar, but would like to attend at another time or if you have any further queries, please contact us via the ‘Ask Delfin a Question’ section on this website.

Where can I find out which plants are indigenous to the Salisbury region?

Go to www.urbanforest.on.net. Click on Central and Northern region link, then locate the place where you live on the map, click and you will receive a list of the indigenous plants of that area.

I love the look of a tropical garden, but how can I have this and yet still be sustainable?

This will take creative and careful thought. Tropical plants need two things: shade and water. You will need to provide shade for the plants and this shade needs to be provided from sustainable materials.

Choose the dampest part of your garden with a preference for a southern aspect and provide a good subsurface irrigation system with water coming from harvested rainwater or recycled water. Mix plenty of organic matter with the soil and mulch well. Select plants that have been hardened and not kept indoors. Select plants with waxy or narrow leaves where possible rather than broad deep green leaves that will lose more water and burn more easily. Do not use pesticides or harmful chemicals.

Where can I find some demonstration gardens that will show me what a sustainable garden looks like?

We are always on the lookout for gardens that demonstration all sustainability principles. Some may use little water but contain invasive plants or moss rocks and therefore cannot be used to demonstrate sustainable principles.

Current public examples include Strand Square at Mawson Lakes, Rosewood Park in Davoren Park, Windor Street Linear Trail in Parkside, Adelaide Airport roundabout, Normanville Foreshore sustainable garden. There is also a large sustainable garden in development at Loxton (Riverland) on the Mill Corner.

Where is the closest native nursery to Mawson Lakes?

Click here: www.australianplantssa.asn.au/nursery.html to find native plant nurseries in South Australia.

Contact details for sustainable landscape designers:

Wagtail Garden Studio
Name: Celeste Hill
Ph: 0416 336 376
www.wagtail.net.au

Nick Fewster Sustainable Landscapes
Ph: 0431 633 448
Charles Griffen Landscapes
Ph: 8370 2091

Somerset Landscaping
Name: Karl Hoefel
Ph: 0418 830 906 or 8297 7295

Sustainable Gardening Tip:

Land clearance in urban areas has led to the decline of many species of birds, insects, lizards, frogs and small mammals. Ways to provide habitat include:

Include a variety of plant species, including some local indigenous plants
Ensure that something is flowering all year round and include nectar-producing plants for birds and butterflies
Include some dense prickly shrubs for shelter and protection for small birds
Fallen branches, logs and rocks provide excellent shelter for small lizards.