Treasure The Natural Environment Print

​Identify, protect and enhance prominent views, natural landscape features, indigenous ecosystems and habitats, and areas of ecological or biodiversity value.

Implement weed and pest management measures and restoration planting schemes where appropriate. Incorporate interpretive signage to help people understand and value our special natural environments.

Design successful planting areas

Invest in designing quality planting areas and tree pit structures, so that plants will be given the best conditions to flourish. As civic spaces are generally highly modified unnatural environments, special attention should be paid to planning for the drainage, soil quality and plant selection.

To ensure the best outcome:

  • provide sufficient soil volume, drainage, aeration and quality soil mixture
  • research the location of underground services or basements, and provide details of these in the design to prevent damage.
  • consider the use of structural cells or porous paving systems
  • select plants species that can cope with local environmental conditions
  • locate trees in appropriate locations, with their size at maturity in mind
  • plant for seasonal change. This can be achieved with either natives or exotic plants by understanding their flowering, fruiting and seasonal variations. Plant annual plants, in raised beds or planters to add seasonal variation and bright colours.

Provide Feedback   Previous Page