Project > Sturt Creek Linear Park Master Plan and Detailed Concept Plan

Engineering designs of waterways in some areas are targeted at being a direct way for water to be channeled out of the environment to the sea.   By altering this way of thinking and incorporating waterways into the landscapes they become valuable ecosystems that provide passive recreation for the community and can support vegetation on their banks providing habitat for a matrix of species.

What we did
In part one of the project an on-ground and desk-top assessment of the environmental issues of the Sturt Creek, from the Patawalonga east to Craigburn was conducted.  The on-ground assessment paid particular attention to the vegetation of the stream, banks and adjacent reserves, both exotic and native.  This enabled the identification of priority activities to restore the watercourse ecosystem within the constraints of an urban landscape.  The desktop assessment summarised the indigenous and post-European and heritage of the area, as well as pre-existing surveys and plans.

This project was a team approach with our partner organization Swanbury Penglase Landscape Architects.

What we achieved
The plan provided direction covering all factors including identifying priority areas for councils to focus future revegetation activities over a time frame and cost structure that could be incorporated into annual budgets.  It coordinated rehabilitation of an urban watercourse across multiple Local Government areas, taking into consideration the needs of the environment, residents, recreational users and infrastructure.

Planning Institute Australia SA Division's Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Urban Design - Plans and Ideas was presented to Rural Solutions SA for the Sturt River Linear Park Master Plan and Detailed Concept Plan.

Contact: Wayne Brown

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