Strong competition in new Water for Life award

A project between ASPECT Studios, Southfront and the City of Burnside, which transformed a flood mitigation basin into a wetland environment now teeming with 10,000 new indigenous plants, has been announced as the inaugural winner of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)’s Water for Life award.

The new award is a partnership between SA Water and AILA to celebrate South Australian expertise that champions the role of water in creating liveable towns and cities.

The council and its partner picked up the award in recognition of its initiative at Kensington Gardens Reserve, breathing new life into the old, unsightly basin by creating an idyllic wetland that also provides a green open space for the local community – with water at the core of the design.

SA Water’s Vegetation Services Specialist Shaun Kennedy said with urban greening vital to enabling healthy communities, this award celebrates the efficient and innovative use of water to create green spaces.

“The newly-established wetland treats stormwater runoff, mimicking a natural wetland system with water levels fluctuating between rainfall and dry periods, allowing native vegetation to flourish while providing a habitat for native insects and birds,” Shaun said.

“This considered design integrates seamlessly into the surrounding reserve, with significant investment made during construction to retain and enhance several large remnant trees that frame the site and provide important shade and wildlife habitat.

“The area has been truly transformed into an accessible and inviting space for the local community to enjoy and take pride in, while also improving the water quality in our natural waterways.

“We recognise the tremendous importance of urban greening for the wellbeing of our communities, and are pleased to see how local councils and landscape architects are harnessing water to create beautiful spaces that encourage people to connect with nature.”

AILA SA President Daniel Bennet said the judges were impressed by the calibre of this year’s winners.

“This new award category encompasses projects and initiatives with a focus on environmental sustainability, integrated design and resource management, to reflect a growing awareness of the importance of community-led action,” Daniel said.

“The competition was indeed strong and to recognise the wonderful effort by other nominees, we decided to give commendations to two other initiatives by the City of Unley and Aldinga Payinthi College.

“City of Unley’s initiative to revitalise Duthy Street showcased how small, considered interventions to capture water where it falls can create cooler, green urban environments that balance the needs of the community.

“Aldinga Payinthi College – together with Swanbury Penglase and ASPECT Studios – seamlessly integrated stormwater retention with the planting of new flora to foster a cohesive learning environment for young people to develop a connection to nature.”

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