North Growth Corridor
Client: Greater Shepparton City Council
Collaboration: Stormy Water Solutions & Chris Smith & Associates
Status: Overall concept completed 2010, Detailed concept finalised 2021
Collaboration: Stormy Water Solutions & Chris Smith & Associates
Status: Overall concept completed 2010, Detailed concept finalised 2021
Wetlands, powerlines and people
The North Growth Corridor is a vast landscape and developing functioning wetlands and successful indigenous species plantings on this scale in the Shepparton area is an exciting challenge. It demands experimentation and a flexible approach to inform the design, the landscape maintenance regimes and the gradual evolution of the site.
Overall concept
For the original concept, we worked closely with Val Mag (Stormy Water Solutions) in the design of two wetland systems – an online series of wetlands to treat agricultural and urban runoff from the drainage channels and four offline wetlands to treat stormwater from the adjacent residential subdivisions.
Further detailed design
Our current work builds on the previous Landscape Concept Plan developed in 2010. Alterations to the drainage design and wetland system have changed the park design. The design now includes only three offline wetlands. This change has created more space and resulted in more diverse site uses for people.
Design intent
The design of this site works with the challenges of overhead transmission lines and towers and the large-scale drainage requirements to provide a park for people, including excellent environmental and habitat value while supporting its industrial functions. The project will activate valuable open space while building diverse native habitats that will manage and clean storm water.
Focus on transitory use
Exposure to electrical and magnetic fields is controversial and the design has taken a cautious approach. This landscape has been designed to encourage walking, cycling and jogging through the space. The path system is extensive, providing a concrete shared path spine with loops of concrete paths and compacted granitic sand paths. The shared path spine links the sites main destinations and provides rest areas along the way. In this predominately flat environment, mounds have been associated with the paths to provide diverse experiences for the users. Tree planting to shade paths have been included where permitted by easements.
A park for people
Significant easements cover the majority of the park and have been a driving influence on the site design. Gaps between easements have been identified to maximise the opportunities to make this park appealing and comfortable for people.
Destinations have been included such as a fenced off-leash dog park area, playgrounds, SPOTs and kickabout spaces. Shelters, jetties and seating areas provide lookouts for people to appreciate the wetlands and the bird life. BBQ, picnic areas and drinking fountains support people to use the site in different sized groups.
This project was completed by LMLA prior to merger with Thomson Hay Landscape Architects
The North Growth Corridor is a vast landscape and developing functioning wetlands and successful indigenous species plantings on this scale in the Shepparton area is an exciting challenge. It demands experimentation and a flexible approach to inform the design, the landscape maintenance regimes and the gradual evolution of the site.
Overall concept
For the original concept, we worked closely with Val Mag (Stormy Water Solutions) in the design of two wetland systems – an online series of wetlands to treat agricultural and urban runoff from the drainage channels and four offline wetlands to treat stormwater from the adjacent residential subdivisions.
Further detailed design
Our current work builds on the previous Landscape Concept Plan developed in 2010. Alterations to the drainage design and wetland system have changed the park design. The design now includes only three offline wetlands. This change has created more space and resulted in more diverse site uses for people.
Design intent
The design of this site works with the challenges of overhead transmission lines and towers and the large-scale drainage requirements to provide a park for people, including excellent environmental and habitat value while supporting its industrial functions. The project will activate valuable open space while building diverse native habitats that will manage and clean storm water.
Focus on transitory use
Exposure to electrical and magnetic fields is controversial and the design has taken a cautious approach. This landscape has been designed to encourage walking, cycling and jogging through the space. The path system is extensive, providing a concrete shared path spine with loops of concrete paths and compacted granitic sand paths. The shared path spine links the sites main destinations and provides rest areas along the way. In this predominately flat environment, mounds have been associated with the paths to provide diverse experiences for the users. Tree planting to shade paths have been included where permitted by easements.
A park for people
Significant easements cover the majority of the park and have been a driving influence on the site design. Gaps between easements have been identified to maximise the opportunities to make this park appealing and comfortable for people.
Destinations have been included such as a fenced off-leash dog park area, playgrounds, SPOTs and kickabout spaces. Shelters, jetties and seating areas provide lookouts for people to appreciate the wetlands and the bird life. BBQ, picnic areas and drinking fountains support people to use the site in different sized groups.
This project was completed by LMLA prior to merger with Thomson Hay Landscape Architects
