Element Design Landscape Architecture

Maintenance Plays A Key Role

Project: Revegetation / Rehabilitation – New Rural Subdivision, Black Mountain
Design / Documentation / Supervision: Element Design Landscape Architecture

The on-ground work for this project began in July 2007. “Noosa & District Landcare” were awarded the contract to rehabilitate three areas totaling approximately 15 600 sq.m being used for agricultural grazing. This re-vegetation work filled in bare areas and created links to an existing stand of important vegetation lining an existing waterway.

Approximately 6000 tubestock were planted with ‘weed mat’ surrounds, at spacings specified in the approved landscape documentation. It is noted that a considerable number of additional tubestock were planted after two ‘break-ins’ by cattle from neighbouring pastures.

Double density planting of tubestock on the outer edges of the rehabilitation areas, have provided an effective barrier to encroaching grasses and weeds.

The success of this project can be seen 19 months after planting, due mainly to a constant regime of maintenance procedures. The maintenance period for this project is 2 years (24 months).The maintenance cost for the 2 year period is 28 percent of the total contract sum. This figure may seem high at the initial stages of the contract period, but it is the results at this point in the project which justify the outlay without a doubt.

Without the constant maintenance, tubestock planting would have been overrun with weeds and grasses and left to fight for their survival during their establishment period. The financial cost of not providing maintenance is greater than the initial cost of the maintenance works.

Additional costs: Replacement of tubestock / delayed council approvals / delayed bond releases / additional maintenance periods.

The ongoing maintenance of this project has allowed the tubestock to establish without competition. The pioneer species have shot up, providing canopy cover for the slower growing species and also providing shade to deter the invasion of weed species. Groundcover plantings have stabilised previously eroded banks. It must be said that ‘best practice’ planting procedures with water crystals and native fertilizer, have gone a long way to ensuring the success of this project.

Both “Landcare” and the developer should be proud of the work that has been done to rehabilitate this area of important vegetation.

We will surely enjoy the years to come visiting and watching this forest grow.

Area 1