Landscape and amenity environments are spaces which are valued for their natural, amenity and physical character. These predominately large-scale green open spaces provide excellent opportunities for restoration planting, habitat creation, heritage plantings or botanical areas. Many of these environments contain landscape features such as beaches or volcanic elements which could be enhanced and celebrated through planting.
Key outcomes:
- restoration, enhancement and creation of habitat for native flora and fauna
- educational opportunities
- improve water quality
- minimise the impact of buildings on the landscape
- minimise the visual and ecological impact of park infrastructure such as roads and car parking areas
- stabilisation of land
- provide predator free parks for endangered native fauna
Typical issues
- erosion on steep hillsides
- invasive weeds and pests from adjacent residential properties re-establishing in park areas
- providing a safe secure environment but in a 'natural' setting
- retaining the rural character of the park while enhancing the ecological functioning
- providing for active and passive opportunities for people, while protecting and enhancing the environment and fauna
Key considerations:
- Use planting to stabilise hillsides, valleys or coastal edges. Erosion is a common issue in these environments. To address this, develop a planting strategy and an access management plan for areas prone to erosion.
- Create natural buffers to water systems. Ensure there is a substantial buffer of planting between water edges to prevent stock from accessing these areas and to enhance water quality.
- Expand existing vegetated areas. Adding planting to or around the edges of an established area of vegetation will increase the area's ecological resilience and capacity for fauna population.
- Consider incorporating educational planting. These parks are often large areas where there may be the opportunity to create an area of planting specifically for educational purposes. Naturally occurring plants could be used in a modified layout to demonstrate planting adaptations.
- Character plantings around heritage features. Many of these parks contain heritage features or buildings. Ensure landscape areas directly adjacent to these features have been sympathetically planted.
- Planting for animal comfort and welfare. Provide shade, avoid poisonous species, robust, groupings etc.
External links