Planting (landscape)
Site planning
Best practice guidance for site planning
Decision framework
There are a range of Australian Standards / best practice guidelines, relating to this category. Key documents are referenced throughout and in LIM Planting (landscape) - Standards.
Refer LIM Planting palette provides an index of suitable plant species for the Sunshine Coast local government area.
Sunshine Coast Street Tree Master Plan
The Master Plan sets the direction for street tree planting in the Sunshine Coast Council region.
Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan
The Biosecurity Plan includes information to assist landholders with invasive species management. The Plan presents the highest priority invasive plants and animals for the Sunshine Coast.
Site decisions
All decisions, including the location of the embellishment and related infrastructure, must be made in conjunction with council (determined by site location), including officers from such areas as:
- Council (Parks and Gardens)
- Council (Environmental Operations)
Users
Consult with council stakeholders, neighbouring properties and identified park users in the planning stage of a project.
Site conditions
Consider the physical characteristics of a site and requirements of the activities conducted:
- prevailing winds
- location of utilities
- well drained site.
In addition, these points should be considered:
- Locally responsive plant selection.
- Preserve and enhance native plants, animals and their habitat.
Co-location of facilities
Facilities, including parking and pathways, are often already established and need to be considered in the overall park design.
Safety
- To create a safe work environment during landscape management, comply with the MUTCD and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011.
- Where landscaping is provided adjacent to/ adjoining drop-offs, slopes over 15 degrees, water, roads, electricity and other critical risks, a risk assessment must be undertaken. The risk assessment must be carried out by a suitably qualified professional, and barriers or other treatments must be provided to mitigate critical risks.
- Safety clearances must be met.
- Adopt principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Guidelines for Queensland. Locate plantings to allow users to feel safe, and to provide an opportunity for casual surveillance.
Potential site conflicts
Locate planting away from:
- Hazards such as sewers and stormwater drains, underground services, power poles and overhead power lines.
- Landscaping must not restrict access to services.
Planning for sustainability
Refer Design principles – Sustainability for guidance.
Planning for future works
- Co-locate embellishments requiring similar services e.g. water, to reduce infrastructure, where possible.
- Where underground utilities are installed, set brass markers to concrete slab edges to indicate the location.
- Consider installation of additional conduits under concrete slabs for future provision, where utilities (e.g. electrical, water) and irrigation systems are planned. Ensure additional conduit is capped to prevent ingress of water and debris.
- Consider climate change impacts on the embellishment location and construction 1.
- In coastal areas, or near waterways, design should consider rise in sea level predictions, storm tide, salt inundation and severe storm events.
- Positioning should also consider flooding, seasonal/ephemeral water bodies and water table changes.
- Near bushland areas, design should consider the occurrence of bushfires.
Source 1: Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017.
This component is currently in development