Thornhill Park Estate

Architect: Spiire
Client: Wel.Co

Scope of works

• ​Paving, decking, fencing, seating, rockwork, viewing platforms,
• Installation of topsoil and 6060m2 of Grassing
• Supply and Install of Jute Mat, Supply and Install of 183 trees (45L)
• Supply and Install of +10,000 150mm pot plants (terrestrial)
• Supply and install of +7500 tubestock plants (ephemeral)
• Supply and install of 18,000 600CC plants (aquatic)
• Installation of netting to protect juvenile plants from waterfowl grazing
• 2 years Maintenance

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.