NURTURING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Boasting a chance for an aspirational lifestyle, Acacia Estate is a masterplanned community located in Botanic Ridge, Victoria. Situated close to a wealth of amenities, this residential development promotes an active lifestyle for residents.

Spread across 325 hectares of land that features vast greenspace and mature trees, the estate provides plenty of walking and cycling tracks, landscaped parks, sports fields and recreation reserves, and it’s very own wetlands.

Built by MJLC Landscape, the Acacia wetlands balances form and function. A large body of water establishes open space to be enjoyed by residents and visitors, while serving as a bio-filtration system for the estate.

Designed by Tract Consultants, the wetlands spreads out over three hectares and supports an array of recreational endeavours. The project also meets the requirements of Melbourne Water by filtering and purifying stormwater for the development, as well as augmenting a natural habitat for new and existing flora and fauna.

Innovative landscape treatments and planting themes support the project’s conservation goal and create a unique identity for the estate. Acting as a gateway to the area, the wetlands were designed to form a seamless flow from built structures to environmentally and culturally significant assets, including tree conservation and heritage reserves. Located a short distance from the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, native planting was chosen in order to blend existing flora with the new development.

Further enhancing the wetlands’ unique identity is a metal sculpture by artist David Wood of Bent Metal. Gaining inspiration from botanical influences, specifically the pods of an Acacia dealbata, the artist created a large-scale artwork that stands at the edge of the wetlands, clearly marking its place in the community.

Primarily constructed to ensure quality stormwater control, the wetlands also meets the recreation needs of residents. Elevated platforms provide viewing spots, while a network of paths offers opportunities for social interaction and physical recreation. In addition, the area supports local wildlife — though this is not without its challenges.

Adjoining a heritage reserve that is home to a robust population of rabbits, MJLC Landscape encountered a few trials when the curious species migrated onto the evolving site during construction. Feeding on certain species of plants during critical stages of establishment led to numerous plant replacements. Solving the problem required the erection of a rabbit-proof fence to the perimeter of the site to inhibit ingress and tunnelling.

MJLC Landscape was responsible for all structural landscape elements associated within the wetlands project. Forming the outer edges and providing a structural foundation, MJLC constructed a series of retaining walls using Katmantoo stone, along with terraced staircases in alternating colours with a sandblast finish, exposed aggregate and decorative saw cut concrete paving. In addition, soft landscaping works such as extensive ground preparation, soil amelioration, turfing, mulching, erosion-control matting, silt prevention, drainage and associated tree planting were all completed by MJLC Landscape.

The Acacia wetland project is a direct product of meticulous planning and robust communication with all stakeholders. Most importantly, the finished environment affords residents the space to connect with native flora and further appreciate how this increase in habitat can also serve to mutually benefit native fauna.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client Peet
Location Botanic Ridge, Victoria
Landscape Architect Tract Consultants
Local Provenance Plant Supply Balance Enviro
Sculpture Bent Metal
Landscape Construction & Maintenance MJLC Landscape