Embellishments should be designed/selected and installed as follows:
Fit for purpose, appropriately positioned and accessible.
Durable, robust and safe (suitable for corrosive environments).
Vandal resistant with parts that are easily replaceable.
Easy to maintain (with appropriate warranty and workmanship).
Comply with relevant standards, legislation, corporate documents and approvals
Planning, design and positioning
Site sensitive design. Design planting for environmental benefits, for human and wildlife wellbeing and to create aesthetic open spaces
Ensure plant selection is locally responsive and reflects the character of the area
Plan for the future mature height of trees and shrubs and for clearances over pathways and roads. Adhere to min lateral pathway offsets
Planting densities
Maintain min clearances to comply with service providers guidance
Ensure provisions for deck mowers. Allow 2.5 m clearance for batters and ensure turf always finishes smooth and flush with paths to avoid scalping
Auxiliary planting embellishment requirements
Boulders/sandstone blocks – min weight 40 kilograms to prevent removal. Boulder to be bedded 1/3 into finished grade
Tree stakes – hardwood timber preferred, chamfered edges. Size varies to suit plant and site. Stakes vertically driven into ground, nom 300 mm or site specific
Root barrier – not recommended
Planning media requirements
Mulch – 100 mm depth (forest blend preferred). Must form shallow dish drain to base of plant. Not to be in contact with plant stem. Mulch to edge of canopy
Monitor soil moisture and apply mulch as required (keep mulch away from plant stem)
Soil (topsoil) – use friable garden blend mix
Add water crystals and slow release fertiliser where specified. Avoid placing under rootball and spread evenly throughout mixed site soil and imported soil
Soil testing is recommended
Planting requirements
Select plant species from LIM Planting palette and Sunshine Coast Street Tree Master Plan
Tree stock is to conform to AS 2303:2018 Tree stock for landscape use.
All plant stock is to be acclimatised to local conditions
Consider local fauna when selecting plant species (where appropriate)
25L tree stock is preferred (over 45L)
Ensure plant roots do not dry while preparing hole. Remove from pot immediately prior to planting and tease the roots gently
Mass planted areas - minimum establishment period of 3 months
Trees and palms - minimum establishment period of 12 months
Check plants frequently (preferred min 6 weeks following planting)
Note: Further guidance and clarification of the content on this page, can be found in the relevant sections of this information sheet.
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Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer
Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.
All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.
This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.
Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.
Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.
This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.
Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.
Acknowledgements
Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.
Copyright
Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Council) supports and encourages the distribution of its material however, copyright protects this document. Council has no objection to this material being reproduced but only if council is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.
