Parkes’ newest public garden is truly a ‘green’ space. The Town Entry Garden on the corner of Henry Parkes Way and Eugowra Road was landscaped with repurposed soil, features water-wise natives, and will be irrigated with recycled water.
It was created as a value-adding project from the Recycled Water Rising Main (RWRM) construction. The land was disturbed during the recycled water pipeline construction, and Council took the opportunity to create a space that would benefit the community.
“Many people are aware of the relationship between sustainability and the environment, but for a project to be truly sustainable it must address social and economic considerations as well, and the Town Entry Garden certainly ticks all the boxes,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Technical Infrastructure Manager, Julian Fyfe.
The scope and nature of the garden was informed by a community workshop in May with a community consensus for a low-impact native garden.
The hardy native species will need minimal maintenance, while 100% repurposed soil from the RWRM construction were used eliminating the costs of stockpiling or disposal. “The topography was created with waterflow in mind. Trees were planted along swails, or ridges, that were constructed to take advantage of natural runoff and direct water to plants,” Julian explained. “During rain events stone-lined creek beds will flow into an ephemeral pond, so the garden will change with the seasons.”
Another project to come out of the RWRM Urban Design Workshop is a new bush tucker garden to be established at Bushman’s Hill to enhance the Wiradjuri Cultural Precinct.
Council is inviting Wiradjuri elders and educators for input into the garden design. For more information contact Raen Fraser on 68612333 or Raen.Fraser@parkes.nsw.gov.au