The Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks Stormwater Board is delivering an important project in the South Park Lands which will help manage flooding from Park Lands Creek and within downstream residential areas.
The flood management project is being undertaken in Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi (Park 16) and Blue Gum Park/Kurangga (Park 20). The South Park Lands project works are outlined in Section 10.2 of the 2016 Stormwater Management Plan.
Read More: About the current status of the wetland here
Current Works
Victoria Park/ Pakapakanthi (Park 16) wetland
The works in Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi (Park 16) involved constructing a wetland at the southern end of Victoria Park. In addition to aiding the management of flooding in Park Lands Creek and downstream residential areas, the wetland will deliver a range of benefits including improving water quality, enhancing the biodiversity of the area and creating amenity for park users, such as spaces to picnic, rest and to watch sport.
Wetland Opening – Media Release
Information Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
Concept Plan
Project Update — August 2020
Project Update — November 2020
Project Update — February 2021
Project Update — May 2021
Project Update — August 2021
Project Update — December 2021
May 2022 – Wetland Official Opening
May 2022 – Wetland Now Open
June 2021 – Wetland Overview
October 2021 – Wetland Key Features
Early Works
Early works were delivered on site in July-September 2020. These works, undertaken by BMD Constructions, involved removal of a large grove of Poplar trees situated adjacent the existing creek at the eastern side of the wetland site. Poplars are considered a weed species and are detrimental to the health of the creek network. Their removal was scheduled ahead of the main project construction to ensure works occurred in the tree’s dormant period and to allow sufficient time to treat any shoots or regrowth that occurs during Spring.
Wetland Construction
The wetland construction contract was awarded to South Australian civil engineering and construction company Bardavcol in January 2021.
Approximately 130,000 cubic metres of soil has been excavated and sorted for reuse within the project or taken offsite. A large temporary stockpile site was established to support these works.
Aerial photographs courtesy of Bob Keane
Creation of the recreation amphitheatre
Timber boardwalks taking shape
View of the wetlands from the elevated viewing area
Rocks being positioned to create gabion wall
New pathways being established
Excavation of final wetland lagoons
Establishing the informal rock crossing
Rehabilitation of existing creek to stabilise banks
Landscaping
The plant supply contract for the wetland landscaping was awarded to Ecodynamics. Some 100,000 new plants and over 160 native tree species have been planted and were propagated from local seed collection.
Blue Gum Park/ Kurangga (Park 20) drainage works
The works in Blue Gum Park/Kurangga (Park 20) involve realignment of the existing creek lines to better manage flooding and also includes rehabilitation works and landscaping.
These works involve the construction of a low-level mound (typically up to 1 metre high) generally in an east west direction and the realignment of existing creek lines in the southern section of the park.
The mound is being constructed to the south and west of the existing playing fields and will stretch for a total distance of approximately 600 metres. Two new open drainage channels will bring together the existing creeks to a common point behind the mound (northern side) which will enable controlled flows to be discharged under Greenhill Road and downstream.
The existing shared use paths are being re-constructed to suit the new layout and the new drainage works will enable part of the existing creek alignment to be backfilled to support tree health. This section of the creek is in poor condition, and the red gums are vulnerable due to creek erosion.
It is expected that the project will be completed in September 2022. Where possible, shared use paths will be opened progressively, as work areas are completed.
Concept Plan
Information Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
Pedestrian and Cyclist Access Map – February 2022
Project Update — October 2021
Project Update — December 2021
Project Update — May 2022
Project Update — August 2022
Current Works
The focus of the remaining works will be significant landscaping in and around Park 20 including:- Completion of the railing on the pedestrian bridge located in the northwestern area.
- The new low-level containment mound adjacent the TreeClimb kiosk being hydroseeded with Kikuyu grass. This species matches the existing area and provides easy maintenance.
- Native grass species being hydroseeded along the now backfilled Park Lands Creek alignment and in pockets of Park 20.
- Some 12,500 new plants in and around the new open channels, including specifically selected riparian species. Plants are all native to the local area.
- Planting of trees and larger shrubs planted in and around Park 20.
- Removal and tidy up of the construction stock pile area to the north of the new bridge.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Access During Works
With works underway, and heavy vehicles moving through the site, temporary access changes are in place for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and workers. This map shows how you can continue to access Park 20 safely. Please follow all directional signage on site as directives may change.
Construction Activities – October to December 2021
Local South Australian company, Leed Engineering and Construction (Leed) moved to site in October 2021, establishing an office compound and spoil stockpile area, which will be in place for the duration of the project.Temporary crossings of the existing open swales and an access road have also been established to enable construction vehicles and workers to access the site, and to ensure the safety of park users.
Containment mound
Over half of the earthworks to establish the containment mound adjacent Peacock Road were completed (150m of 250m).Roller on embankment
Adjustment of an irrigation pit to match new surface level
Trimming the edges of the containment mound
New culverts
About 80 metres of new culverts are being installed, with over half now in place. Each section of culvert measured 2400mm wide and 900mm deep, forming the link between Park Lands Creek and the new open channel.To avoid impacting local businesses and park users, 3 continuous shifts including night works, took place to install culvert sections.
Base slab ready for culvert installation
Culvert crowns being primed
Digger lifting in pre-cast headwall
Excavation ready for culvert installation
Lifting in 5.2 tonne culverts
Reinstated area after culvert installation, excavation on right
Reinstated area after culvert installation
New pedestrian and light vehicle bridge
Footings for the new 4-metre-wide steel pedestrian and light vehicle bridge have been established using steel reinforcement and 3 cubic metres of concrete.Pouring concrete for bridge footings
Drainage Infrastructure
Drainage infrastructure to connect the existing culvert under Greenhill Road into the new drainage has commenced. This includes the installation of two junction boxes which interconnect the underground drainage reinforced concrete pipes.Construction Activities – February to May 2022
- Installation of new culverts, excavation of new open creek channels and connection of infrastructure to divert flows.
- Rock placement where the new channels connect to existing creeks to provide erosion control of the channel surface and promote embankment stability.
- Connection of the new culvert to the existing stormwater infrastructure running under Greenhill Road.
- Progressed construction of the mound adjacent the tennis courts and new elevated asphalt path. Once completed, this path will reinstate the connection between the western and eastern parts of Park 20.
- Minor relocations for existing underground services within Park 20, including telecommunications and sewer infrastructure to accommodate project works.
Construction and preparation of new path adjacent tennis courts. This path will be asphalted
Hydroseeding the southern mound adjacent peacock road
Filling Park Lands Creek, ensuring tree roots are protected and connecting the stormwater infrastructure
Construction Activities – May to August 2022
Works have been focused on the southeast section of Park 20, around the TreeClimb kiosk.This has included:
- Filling of Park Lands Creek and diversion of flows to new infrastructure.
- Installation of low flow irrigation pipes in existing creeks, prior to filling, to ensure trees have continued access to water.
- Construction of a new low-level containment mound adjacent the TreeClimb kiosk designed to contain stormwater flows during significant storm events.
- Construction of the new bridge connecting the shared use path in the middle area of the park.
- Construction of the new east-west shared use path, including timber edging and asphalting.
- Three new retaining walls constructed along the new east-west shared path, which used a hydrovac method to protect tree roots.
- Finishing works adjacent the TreeClimb kiosk to maintain customer seating and viewing area.
- Installation of specially designed CycSafe® fencing at the eastern end of the new path to improve safety for cyclists by protecting them from hazards like trees and steep embankments. The fencing includes a bump rail which is designed to help protect cyclists moving at speed who may come into contact with the fencing.
- Installation of fencing around the new culvert entrances to deter access by the public.
- Continuing excavation work to construct the stormwater channels, including placement of rock scour protection at the base and sides of the channel in areas where flow of water is at higher velocity.
Landscaping
Some 12,500 new plants are being propagated off site ready for planting during the cooler months, when there is the best chance of successful establishment. All plants are native to the local area, with some species specifically selected to vegetate the banks of the open channels.Trees and larger shrubs will also be planted in and around Park 20 including eucalyptus varieties native to the Adelaide Plains including Callitris gracillis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp.
