by Shane Sody
The biggest earthmoving project of the past 60 years in your Open Green Public Adelaide Park Lands is nearing completion.
Stepping up from the floor of what will be a wetland pond, to the walking track above
But there's still much to do, within this $13 million project to bring a scenic lake and flourishing biodiversity to Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16).
The contractors, Bardavcol, have spent much of this year excavating the wetlands and building retaining walls, as well as a raised lookout mound close to Fullarton Road. From next year, that mound will be the best place to view what will then be one of the most scenic places within your Park Lands.
The view from the top of the mound, looking south-west across what will be the widest expanse of water.
With the earthmoving substantially complete, the next phase of the project has begun.
On Thursday 7 October, work began to line the ponds with a bed of geosynthetic clay.
Laying the first bed of synthetic clay, on Thursday 7 October, in the pond closest to Fullarton Rd
Project manager Gianni Fattori explains that the clay liner "serves as a waterproof layer for this wetland, so that the water doesn't completely seep away.
“Once that layer and that liner is down, there'll be 300mm of clean fill that covers over the top of it and then over the top of that is then another 150mm of topsoil that serves as a bed for the wetland plants."
Project manager Gianni Fattori and some of the river red gums on the south side of the main pond area.
More than a hundred thousand individual plants (including 160 tree species) are growing off-site, and will soon be planted into and around the new wetlands, after the clay liner, clean fill and topsoil are laid.
Looking from the western side of the wetlands, near Beaumont Rd, back eastwards towards a stand of trees that next year will be surrounded by water, reeds and other plants .
Project director Peta Mantzarapis explains that some of the finishing touches will include landscaping features to acknowledge the Kaurna heritage of the Adelaide Park Lands.
From left, Bardavcol project manager Gianni Fattori, Project Director Peta Mantzarapis and project manager Darren Ball.
"For example there are two informal rock crossings over the wetlands - two areas where there are large stepping stones over the water. We have a Kaurna artist carving into those stones to tell a story through the site" Ms Mantzarapis said. "And we have a few pieces of artwork, animals and things being carved which is going to be incorporated throughout the site as well."
The South Park Lands Creek has been broadened and re-contoured as part of the project
There will be two kilometres of walking trails around the wetlands, criss-crossing the entire site of more than three hectares.
Stairs have been built to access the walking trail from Beaumont Road. Ramped access has also been built, from a point close to South Terrace.
The completion date is not set but is expected to be in January, although you might have to wait for sufficient rain next autumn to see the wetlands at their capacity.
You can read more about the project here: https://bhkcstormwater.com.au/stormwater-management-in-the-south-park-lands/
