Australian Ecosystems constructed a large inner city playground and wetland landscape at Enclave Estate in Ascot Vale for Mirvac. Our works included topsoiling, turf establishment, advanced tree planting, concrete footpaths, construction of an extensive childrens playground, bbq area and structures, and supply and installation of plants for the wetlands and formal garden beds.
The construction of all of the landscape elements of The Cape is testament to the versatility and expertise of Australian Ecosystems. The Cape is considered one of the most sustainable housing developments in Australia, so calling on AE to construct a beautiful and sustainable landscape for the residents, flora, and fauna of Cape Paterson was a logical choice. This award-winning estate overlooks the Bass Strait on Victoria’s Bass Coast, and is home to kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, wombats and healthy populations of frog, bird, insect and reptile species.
Our teams have designed, constructed and installed kilometres of granitic sand coastal paths, wetlands, waterways and habitat areas, a large nature-play and adventure playground, fitness stations, an off leash dog park, streetscapes, parklands, water treatment swales and much more. Our team wrote the species lists, collected a seed bank from the local coastal vegetation, propagated and planted over 100,000 locally indigenous plants for the streetscapes, wetlands and habitat restoration areas, and have set up systems to protect these establishing plants from grazing during their establishment period. We have been working our way through the various stages of the estate, including the formal streetscapes and parklands and environmentally sensitive interface areas with the coast.
Australian Ecosystems have constructed the first stage of a community farm that is water efficient and low maintenance, producing tonnes of fresh vegetables and herbs for the local community. The off-leash dog park and shelter includes water features, habitat areas, zones for different types of dogs and an all-weather shelter. The creekline and waterways through the estate have been transformed from a narrow drain to a series of ponds and waterways rich in habitat for birdlife. We constructed wetlands specifically for the international migratory species Japanese Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) that have been taking up residence in the wetland each Summer. Over 90 species of birds have been counted at The Cape so far, as well as a wide variety of other fauna.
AE continues to provide ongoing maintenance and landscaping services at The Cape.
Scope of Works:
“The team from Australian Ecosystems have been invaluable to the success of our project. Their knowledge, attention to detail and can-do attitude have provided us with a landscape that is nothing short of stunningg” – Clint Hare, General Manager, Live at The Cape
Located along the western bank of the Mullum Mullum Creek in Donvale, Mullum Creek Estate is a sustainable development where clever landscape design is being used to encourage residents to engage with the natural environment. Embedded in the vision for the estate is a respect for the existing environment and topography as well as environmental and ecological sensitivity and adaptability to a changing climate. This broad vision has been reflected throughout the project’s journey, from the design principles implemented by CDA landscape architects to the landscape construction by Australian Ecosystems.
Australian Ecosystems completed the landscape construction of stage 1 which included the supply and install of over 39,000 plants for gardens beds, a stormwater treatment wetland and a frog pond, as well as the installation of public furniture, fencing, paving, grassing and a two year maintenance schedule.
Stage 1 of Mullum Creek Estate won Best Natural Built Landscape at the Landscape Victoria Awards – Judge’s comments – “The project at Mullum Creek in Donvale is a fantastic exemplar of a natural built landscape. The hydrology and ecology of the site has been well-considered, with runoff from the development site treated by a constructed wetland before it enters the nearby Mullum creek. Indigenous plantings have extended the remnant vegetation into the landscape and wetland, from seed previously collected from the site. Furniture, fences and bollards were milled on-site from timber that was already on the property. Much thought has been put into making the Mullum Creek development a beautiful, sustainable landscape.”
AE also constructed Stage 2 of the estate which included another 35,000 plants in the landscape in addition to paving, furniture installation, grassing, animal proof fencing and another 2 year maintenance contract.
Scope of Works:
Australian Ecosystems (AE) was head landscaper for the Mernda Rail Extension project run by John Holland. We constructed the landscapes for 3 separate train station precincts – Marymede station, Hawkstowe Station and Mernda Station, as well as the 2 train line corridors in between the station precincts.
AE supplied and installed over 40,000 trees and over 111,000 shrubs and ground cover plants. We also supplied and installed mulch, topsoil and conducted hydroseeding. For this project AE was compliant with the Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Program which allows our staff to work on rail and infrastructure projects. We maintained the required competencies, had frequent training and ensured the work was performed by qualified staff. This project was a huge success with the site being awarded PC by John Holland without defect. We received a 2 year contract for maintenance services. These commercial landscapes beautifully compliment the new station precincts and provide a beautiful nature corridor along the train lines.
Scope of Work
This project at Mt Atkinson Estate, in the West of Melbourne, centres around a 3.5 hectare wetland complex. This wetland was fully constructed on an excavated quarry site, which required topsoiling and soil amelioration. TBLD Architects selected our 600cc 12-cell native aquatic plants, over conventional tubestock to plant out the wetland. This is due to the harsh conditions in the area, as the larger format allow the plants to flourish more rapidly, reducing competition with weeds and creating an ‘instant effect’ landscape.
Our nursery team propagated and grew to 600cc size around 135,000 plants. Our landscape construction team ameliorated the topsoil, jutematted and mulched, and installed these 135,000 plants into the landscape. Large boulders, rocks, and logs were installed around and throughout the wetland to provide perches for waterbirds and habitat for insects and other creatures.
Australian Ecosystems also constructed the concrete edging and planted out the streetscapes of the estate adjascent to the wetland site. This included installing instant turf, planting advanced trees and setting up passive irrigation. We also installed bollards and cables for fencing throughout the site. A stand of remnant sugar gums was retained onsite, which were inspected by arborist & zoologist for conservation values, and appropriate maintenance of existing vegetation was undertaken.
Scope of Works:
It’s not often that a group of projects spans almost a decade, culminating in a connected landscape that encompasses several kilometers of restored waterways, habitat and creekline. Australian Ecosystems has collaborated with Melbourne Water, Villawood Properties, MDGLA, Stockland Living, Spiire and more to turn large sections of Clyde Creek into a wildlife & biodiversity corridor and a great space for nature and local communities to enjoy.
AE have landscaped and revegetated several sets of wetlands along this creekline that filter stormwater from adjacent housing estates, before it enters Westernport Bay. Over a 10 year period we have collected seed and cuttings, propagated and planted over 500,000 locally indigenous plants across a series of sections of this waterway in Melbourne’s south east; including Edgebrook and Delaray Estates, the Cascade wetland complex and others.
This multi-year project has enabled us to showcase leading wetland standards, achieving 80% plant coverage across the water treatment zones, with under 5% weed cover and over 95% survival rates of all plantings. Our nursery produced plants in formats to comply with Melbourne Water Wetland design manual, and we protected plants from rabbit and bird grazing as they established. All sections have been completed to the satisfaction of clients and responsible authorities.
Thanks to all of our partners for this wonderful project, and particularly Shannon at Villawood for your participation in this video that draws it all together. We are passionate about improving Melbourne’s waterways for biodiversity, water quality, urban cooling and recreational benefits, and we are very proud of this project at Clyde Creek.
Delaray Housing Estate in Clyde North is a Villawood Properties project that features a very large constructed wetland, which has been designed to intercept, retain and treat large volumes of stormwater from the estate and surrounding areas, and to filter out pollutants and improve water quality. The wetland delivers additional benefits including urban cooling, habitat for local wildlife, and public amenity.
Following the landscape plan designed by MDG Landscape Architects, Australian Ecosystems(AE) were contracted to collect seed, propagate and plant over 60,000 aquatic and ephemeral plants for the project, as well as install and ameliorate topsoil, install jute mat and install guarding enclosures to protect vulnerable species from bird grazing. AE have also been contracted to maintain the constructed wetland complex for 2 years, in readiness to hand over the asset to Melbourne Water at the end of the maintenance period.
The wetland and plant formats were designed to be compliant with Melbourne Water’s Wetland Design Manual. To ensure compliance with the manual, all shallow, deep and submerged marsh species were grown and supplied in 600cc plant formats, and all ephemeral plants were supplied in 93cc hiko cells or tubestock. The plant list included large numbers of Water Ribbons (Cycnogeton procerum) which is a very important wetland filtration and frog habitat species, and this species is also very palatable to several waterfowl species including Purple Swamp Hens (Porphyrio porphyrio) and Black Swans (Cygnus atratus)
Site preparation, topsoiling, jutematting and planting works were undertaken over the Spring and Summer of 2018/19, with all planting works completed by April 2019. The results have been outstanding, with plants achieving 80% coverage by Spring 2019, and the site being awarded PC by Melbourne Water without defect. The site is currently being maintained by Australian Ecosystems, with under 5% weed cover and over 95% survival rates of all plantings. The site is now a thriving ecosystem, and is a great centrepiece of Delaray Housing Estate and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
What our clients said about us:
“Australian Ecosystems has delivered a best practice wetland at Delaray, and the results have been outstanding, exceeding our expectations for the site. The wetlands are establishing beautifully and are now a great asset to Delaray Estate. The results at Delaray are a testament to the expertise, professionalism and enthusiasm that Australian Ecosystems bring to wetland and drainage landscape projects.”
– Rory Costello, Executive Director, Villawood Properties.
Architect: Spiire
Client: Wel.Co
Scope of works
This public park, open space and wetland landscape construction project was completed by Australian Ecosystems(AE) acting as head landscape contractor for Welsh Group at Thornhill Park Estate in the North West of Melbourne. The project features a large area of parkland surrounding a constructed stormwater treatment wetland in the North West of Melbourne.
Following the landscape plan designed by Spiire, Australian Ecosystems were contracted to install topsoil, hydroseeding, paving, edging, structures, fencing and rockwork. Australian Ecosystems also installed gym equipment, a viewing deck, bike racks and cyclist benches. AE were also contracted to collect seed, propagate and plant over 35,000 aquatic, ephemeral and terrestrial plants for the project, and to install advanced trees. We were also contracted to maintain the landscape and wetlands for 2 years, in readiness to hand over the asset to Melbourne Water and council at the end of the maintenance period.
The wetland has been designed to intercept, retain and treat large volumes of stormwater from the estate and surrounding areas, and to filter out pollutants and improve water quality. The wetland delivers additional benefits including urban cooling, habitat for local wildlife, and public amenity. The wetland and plant formats were designed to be compliant with Melbourne Water’s Wetland Design Manual.
To ensure compliance with the manual, all shallow, deep and submerged marsh species were grown and supplied in 600cc plant formats, and all ephemeral plants were supplied in 93cc hiko cells or tubestock. The results have been outstanding with the site being awarded PC by Melbourne Water without defect. The site was maintained by Australian Ecosystems, with under 5% weed cover and over 95% survival rates of all plantings. The site is now a thriving ecosystem and a beautiful space to visit.
Following our work on planting out Stage 1 of this project in Rockbank, we returned to prepare a large section of the waterways. Working with Wel.co and Winslow, we ameliorated the soil and installed around 10 hectares of jutematting.
This project is designed by Spiire, and the waterways are maintained by Melbourne Water.
Scope of works