Victorian Projects and Sites

 

Cairnlea

introduction  / overview  / images  /  location  / Projects

Landscape Architects: HASSELL

Location: Cairnlea, north western Melbourne

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Introduction

Cairnlea is a newly established residential suburb located in Melbourne’s north-west. The 460 hectare site was formerly used as an explosives plant and was severely contaminated.

Existing natural features included large swathes of remnant grasslands, significant stands of native trees and remnant bushland all sited on active floodplains.

Two significant water ways transverse the site including Kororoit Creek and Jones Creek. The rehabilitation of Kororoit Creek along with the introduction of the Gladstone Street Wetlands have led to the establishment of a highly effective stormwater management system and provided the opportunity for the introduction of innovative land management techniques.

The project successfully addresses many critical aspects of environmental land management including:

• Stream rehabilitation through the regeneration of Kororoit Creek.

• Conservation management of the significant remnant native grasslands and existing trees.

• Biodiversity preservation and management in the protection of indigenous landscapes and habitats along the creek corridors.

• The successful integration of land management techniques within a new residential development which led to the enhancement of what was an environmentally degraded site.

Design of the land management strategy began in the master planning phase in 1998. The implementation of these strategies over the past decade have led to the successful establishment of sustainable and rehabilitated natural environments. This establishment period has provided opportunities for these initiatives to be tested and proven for their effectiveness and viability.

VicUrban’s team of consultants led by HASSELL proposed an extensive stormwater harvesting, treatment and recycling scheme for Cairnlea.

VicUrban’s support has ensured that every year the scheme has the potential to save up to 160,000 kilolitres of potable water for Brimbank City Council.

The Cairnlea project encompasses the following main areas:

• Gladstone Street Wetlands and Jones Creek Water Treatment System

• Cairnlea Integrated Water Recycling Infrastructure

• Section H Water Treatment and Kororoit Creek Rehabilitation Program

Client: VicUrban

Cairnlea Budget: $A30 Mil

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introduction  / overview  / images  /  location  / Projects

2010