Birrarung Marr Stormwater Harvesting and Landscape Integration Project

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: This project involves the creation of an irrigation source for the long term sustainability of the 8 hectare park to keep green the upper and middle terraces of Birrarung Marr, the historic landscape of Speaker's Comer and the trees along the banks of the Yarra River. It was designed by Ron Jones through his practice Jones & Whitehead, with Cardno, Urban Initiatives and the City of Melbourne. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: This project has successfully integrated a large water processing facility into a major urban park with minimal interruption to existing uses. It has capitalised on the insertion of this infrastructure by redesigning the upper terrace landscape for improved amenity and better connections in the park. Jones was principal designer for Birrarung Marr in 2000 for the City of Melbourne, and has since been reviewing and managing the design of the site. This project extends Jones' ongoing innovation in public landscape and urban design projects and developing Melbourne's urban design strategy. In 2010, he received the AILA (Australian Institute of Landscape Architect) Victorian President's Award, acknowledging his contributions to Melbourne's public realm and the profession. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: This project was awarded High Commendation (Landscape Design) in the 8th Sustainability Awards (2014) by Building Products News (BPN) - the nation's most respected design awards program devoted to sustainable building. According to the jury: "Inner city land restoration projects usually have a high level of difficulty, and Birrarung Marr is no exception. The project partners have achieved a very technical standard, and at the same time improved both the aesthetic of the Yarra bank and the amenity of this important site." It was also a Finalist in the 2014 Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards in the Cleaner Yarra and Bay category. It is published online by the City of Melbourne, Architecture and Design and Greening the West.