AVOCA CHINESE RAIN GARDEN
08 Oct 2014
A symbolic Chinese rain garden in Victoria features a creative solution for filtering and storing storm water for reuse later.
In the Pyrenees Shire of Victoria, the small township of Avoca is about to complete the construction of a Chinese rain garden. Designed to honour the impact that Chinese migrants had on the area during the gold rush era, the rain garden features a Chinese inspired podium, storm water filtering rain garden and integrated storage tank.
The design by Mel Ogden (www.melogden.com) incorporates meandering paths, a stone slab bridge over a storm water swale drain, indigenous plantings and a creative solution to filtering and storing storm water for later reuse in the upkeep of the garden.
The Chinese rain garden seeks to address the silence surrounding the important Chinese contribution to Avoca from the 1850’s when many thousands lived there. Importantly, it also addresses the lack of a public garden in the town and the possibilities for tourism.
The garden will be officially opened on October 11 and everyone is invited to join in the celebrations and be amongst the first to enjoy its beauty and spiritual presence in the centre of the town.
The opening event will officially take place at midday, and will be followed by music in the garden throughout the afternoon and an exhibition of contemporary art by Chinese and Australian artists next door at Watford House. The day will conclude with a fireworks display at the garden.
This inspired design, when completed, will be worth taking the two-hour drive west of Melbourne to enjoy. And while there, why not enjoy all that Avoca and the Pyrenees Shire has to offer.
For more information visit www.beutyliner.com.au
