Nathan Campus Planting Strategy Griffith Nathan Campus
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Planting Strategy Nathan Campus MARK BALLANTYNE March 2014 Section Name Planting Strategy Griffith Nathan Campus 1 Vision Nathan Campus, the first established by Griffith The aim of this document therefore is to create a University, is situated about 13km south of Brisbane’s landscape strategy and planting palette for use in the city centre. It is set in the southern portion of consultation and management of the main campus the 260ha Toohey Forest Conservation Park; an area where most future development will take island of remnant forest surrounded by suburban place. It will be used by decision-makers to facilitate development. This setting gives the campus a unique appropriate use of plants in this area maintaining the and rich biodiversity that much of the surrounding natural aesthetic, limiting disturbance and providing modified landscape has lost. The remnant vegetation low-maintenance interest and attraction to campus is primarily dry sclerophyll forest with some wet users. It is hoped that this will serve to enhance sclerophyll and riverine habitat along watercourses. the local environment and biodiversity whilst also To date, over 400 species of plants and animals have providing an appealing, educational and recreational been recorded around Nathan Campus including a resource for students, staff and visitors alike. number listed as rare and threatened. This biological richness and its successful conservation make the campus a perfect location for world-class research and education in environment and sustainability. Griffith University is committed to the preservation and enhancement of the Toohey Forest ecosystem. Vision 2 Planting Strategy Griffith Nathan Campus Objectives To uphold the vision, a number of practical objectives must be achieved: Plant species used should: To improve landscape maintenance: v Be native to the local area, unless there is no v Water tanks with higher holding capacity other option (> 3,000 litres) should be strategically placed under new developments or retrofitted as v Be low maintenance free-standing among current ones to allow v Provide interest, aesthetic appeal and/or have sufficient irrigation of planted areas, especially cultural or conservation significance. ornamental beds v Withstand harsh local environmental v High-maintenance lawns should be avoided conditions including low soil moisture, thin soil unless for a specific purpose (e.g. student and high exposure to wind and UV social area, sports) v Promote a ‘sticky campus’ to facilitate student v Consultation should be encouraged between interaction gardeners, architects and other stakeholders v Be mostly in tune with the local character and using this document as a guide. Working environment of Toohey Forest through the character, microclimate and planting palette with clear, guided consultation v Be planted mindfully so as not to increase fire- is essential when planning newly vegetated risk around buildings areas v Be easily-sourced v Enact a regular maintenance regime of v Have long life-spans mulches to minimise soil drying v Benefit local wildlife Objectives Planting Strategy Griffith Nathan Campus 3 Key features of the Suggested layout and zonation planting palette of the landscape strategy Neat In 2009, the most recent Nathan Campus Master modified patches of infrastructure, dry sclerophyll Plan, compiled by Griffith University and Cox Rayner forest remnants, ornamental garden and lawn also Plant species should be easily contained and Architects, included an evaluation of the natural form the area suggested for future planned planting structurally attractive environments and remnant habitats present across where this document’s landscape strategy and the main campus. The surveyors, Stringybark plating palette will be applied. Current and future Native Consulting, classified the surrounding vegetation as development in these areas should follow this All species must be native to the local area, unless predominantly Regional Ecosytem 12.11.5; an open dry document in choosing and establishing plants. sclerophyll forest complex of Lemon-scented Gum, there is no other option The following zonation scheme outlines 6 proposed Northern Grey Ironbark and Queensland Grey Gum zones for planting. on metamorphosed substrate with some elements Within the main campus development area, six Form of wet sclerophyll forest near water-courses. They distinct zones are proposed: zones 1, 2a/2b and 3 A range of different growth forms should be compiled a map of where this ecosystem remains constitute a relatively small proportion of the overall encouraged to add structural variety undisturbed, the patches where it has become campus area (around 5-10%) and are the areas isolated and modified within the main campus area targeted with a more ornamental approach using and the surrounding cleared area for infrastructure, Colour mostly neat natives, but also a number of regionally lawns and ornamental gardens. A range of colours from native species is to be native species such as Erythrina numerosa, Scaevola In conjunction with the findings of this investigation, show-cased aemula and Brachychiton bidwillii. Cultivated a zonation scheme is suggested for the new planting varieties of locally native plants (e.g. Melaleuca/ strategy that will be largely in keeping with the Callistemon ‘Little John’) are to be used in select Conservation natural character of the site but allow for some areas locations as they instigate the Griffith corporate Plants should be consistent with surrounding Toohey to display more formal plantings of ‘neat native’ red colour scheme. Two other plants emphasising Forest ecosystem unless for a specific purpose such species. The peripheral undisturbed vegetation of this include Kennedia prostrata and Leptospermum as displays of Griffith corporate colours or in difficult Toohey Forest Conservation Park that encircles scoparium ‘Ruby Glow’ which are Australian plants areas such as shady, dry beds. the main campus area and areas of wet sclerophyll but not native to the region. Zones 4, 5 and 6 are forest are unsuitable for new development however, cumulatively much larger (~ 90% of campus area) Maintenance including planned planting. These areas are and follow a completely native approach using Gardeners require low maintenance species to allow protected and should remain untouched. species only found in Toohey Forest and also for sufficient management of the campus as a whole However, all other remnant patches within the main possibly encouraging the use of some regionally- campus development area are relatively suitable for native, but endangered species. Red building and since 2009 some of these areas have In selected locations planting should be used to indeed been developed. These largely isolated and reinforce the Griffith corporate colour Key features of the planting palette 4 Planting Strategy Griffith Nathan Campus UNIVERSITY ROAD Zone 1 NOR TH R ING Social Areas ROAD Zone 2 Main Vehicular and Pedestrian Movement Areas Zone 3 Ornamental Beds Zone 4 Building Edges Zone 5 Modified Sclerophyll Remnants Zone 6 Water Bodies EAST CARPARK S OU TH R IN WEST CREEK ROAD G RO AD THE CIRCUIT The main campus development area with GR 6 planting zones highlighted. IFFIT H RO AD All vegetation outside of this zone should be maintained. RECREATION CENTRE CARPARK Suggested layout and zonation of the landscape strategy Planting Strategy Griffith Nathan Campus 5 Zone 1 Social Spaces Architectural modifications at Nathan are being villosa, dwarf Acacia fimbriata and dwarf Melia designed to incorporate a ‘sticky campus’ azedarach alongside wooden seating. perspective; facilitating student integration and Seats interaction. A number of social spaces have been provided to promote this including courtyards, dining Seating areas may allow for the use of planters. areas, seats and lawns. However, planters will require constant watering and maintenance, and may not be a good idea in the Courtyards and dining areas long-term. If discouraged, seated areas should be The main courtyard is located at N76, the Campus planted with graded vegetation that has reduced Heart. This is an exciting location with the majority height and spread near where people will be seated. of campus activity centralising here. However the Using shade trees in seating areas is also encouraged, soil and light levels are poor, and coupled with including Flindersia australis and Alectryon exposure to strong winds, the area’s planting beds tomentosus. require very durable species. As such, in the most Lawns difficult areas, the hardiest species are often non- native plants. Some of these such as the Parlour The university lawn outside Macrossan Building Palm (Chamaeodora siefrizii) and Haran (Aspidistra has been subject to ever-changing plans. In the elatior) cope very well. However, some natives could 2009 Nathan Campus Master Plan, the most recent be trialled here that withstand dry shade including proposal is to extend the lawn area to the north and the Native Hoya (Hoya australis), Cockspur Flower east by removing mid and understorey vegetation (Plectranthus parviflorus) and Basket Fern (Drynaria in surrounding bush remnants and leaving stand- rigidula). Attempts to choose attractive plants should alone mature trees. This plan could be implemented be prioritised due to the public exposure this area alongside establishment of additional trees using receives. a specimen planting approach. Trees added to this lawn will give it a semi-formal arboretum feel, using Two courtyards