Southern Avenue (Wellington/Bathurst Streets Launceston)
Stage 1 Brisbane to Frederick, Stage 2 Frederick to Frankland
Parks & Recreation Department, Launceston City Council.
This is a simple robust project to achieve a simple vision.
The creation of a treed corridor to the most hostile and busiest Launceston Road.
The idea of more trees in streets was motivated by a prominent Launceston citizen.
From this idea the project was formed.
Wellington Street is arguably Launceston’s busiest street and hence not the easiest to plant.
A grand avenue or boulevard was never going to be able to be achieved due to the number of competing parameters that had to be considered for each and every tree placement.
The term landscape engineering is not loosely used as there are many similarities between this project and other traditional engineering asset role outs. 90% of the value is below ground.
The project had key sustainability outcomes not the least the addition of much needed green infrastructure for the city. Wellington Street in particular is completely devoid of public trees and very limited in private trees. The inclusion of this green layer will achieve many of the elements of green infrastructure.
Hence the solution is minimalist by traditional urban design standards concentrating on landscape engineering and fit for purpose.
Special Factors
Street tree planting in the city has suffered a net loss for many years and such an extensive tree-planting project has never been undertaken before. The CBD is seen as to hard with only replacements happening.
Public culture not accepting of trees in roads. Very contested space above and below ground.
Construction protocols due to nature of road. A curfew and excavation completion by end of shift.
Done prior to acceptance of Strategic Street Tree Policy.
Criteria
This project was the first major utilization of structural tree cells for street tree planting in Launceston.
This project accomplishes the retrofitting of street trees one by one into the existing urban fabric of a heavily built environment.
The final design details needed to tailor the theory of structural root cells with the shallow local geology whilst maintaining sufficient flexibility to accommodate a plethora of underground services, many unidentified at time of planning, virtually requiring a dig, design and construct approach.
The Landscape Architect has been asked to present at conferences and workshops and how to actually achieve the vision of that many ‘green’ strategies and revitalization concepts espouse. Slowly the public is becoming engaged and educated about the benefits of street tree planting and hence green infrastructure.
The Southern Avenue will add immense value to the existing street landscape, the innovative design solution will enhance the urban fabric through respecting the dynamics of the road corridor
The design seeks to achieve a at least fifty years from the trees, if not 100, providing a legacy for the future through site responsive design.
