by the South Park Lands Wetland - Stakeholder and Community Engagement Team

Construction of the new wetland in the southern portion of Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) is progressing well and set to continue into the New Year, despite the unseasonal wet weather late in 2021 ‘dampening’ some of the works.

This hasn’t dampened spirits over the last few months though, with construction continuing to shape the wetland and its key features, including:

• excavating, shaping and lining the wetland ponds

• installation of new drainage structures

• creation of the elevated viewing platform

• building the foundations and laying timber to create boardwalks

• rehabilitation and stabilisation of the existing creek channel

• construction of a rock-filled gabion retaining wall

• construction of the new pathways around the wetland

• concrete poured to create the amphitheatre

• establishing new grassed areas.

Works will continue in the New Year and will be focused on completing all components of the wetland in the first quarter of 2022 ready for the enjoyment of all.

As paths are created around the edges of the work area, the park will be ‘opened up’ so that these paths can be used.

The stockpile area currently being used to store excess soil excavated to create the wetland will continue to be reduced, with trucks disposing the soil off-site. Following completion of the project, this area will be rehabilitated and returned to parklands.

Access

Please note that trucks and vehicles are entering and exiting the construction site from Fullarton Road. There is signage in place to guide you.

Access to the COVID-19 testing site is from Wakefield Road.

MEANWHILE -

Two kilometres to the west, in Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20)….

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.

Construction is now well underway with:

• over half of the earthworks to establish the containment mound adjacent Peacock Road completed (150m of 250m)

• modifications made to the existing north to south shared use path, including elevation of the existing path to meet the containment mound level and construction of a new retaining wall

• 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

• installation of two junction boxes to allow for underground pipes to connect into the new channels and the existing culvert under Greenhill Road

• over half of the new culverts are in place to form the link between the Park Lands Creek and the new open channel, with some works being undertaken at night to avoid impacting local businesses and park users.

In parallel with construction, design refinements have been made to the length of the underground culverts to improve accessibility for park users.

Break over Summer

Works have been on hold since 11 December 2021 to allow free access to Park 20 over summer.

All shared use paths through Park 20 are accessible during this time. For the safety of park users, some temporary measures have been put in place where works will continue after the break.

The fenced site compound and soil stockpile areas will remain on site during the break.

Works in early 2022

Works will resume in mid-February 2022 and will be focused on:

• completing the installation of new culverts and preparing for excavation of the open channels

• installation of permanent railing along new north to south shared use path retaining wall

• completing the containment mound adjacent Peacock Road, with remaining earthworks, topsoil placement and grassing

• completing the new pedestrian bridge.

Construction will also occur to establish an elevated path to the north of the tennis courts (which will form part of the containment mound) and an at grade asphalt path near the BMX track.

Once works resume, there will be some access restrictions to ensure the safety of park users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Please follow the directional signage on site.

Landscaping

Some 12,500 new plants are being propagated ready for planting in 2022. All plants are native to the local area, with some species specifically selected to vegetate the banks of the open channels.

97 trees / larger shrubs will also be planted in and around Park 20 including eucalyptus varieties native to the Adelaide Plains.

Staying in touch

For more information, including to view the concept plans (for either of these two projects) visit www.bhkcstormwater.com.au

Should you have any questions please contact our dedicated engagement team on 1300 281 235 or email info@southparklands.com.au

The stories and photos above are reproduced from two PDF documents issued on 20 December 2021 by the South Park Lands Wetland - Stakeholder and Community Engagement Team - Brown Hill Keswick Creeks Stormwater Project.

These are the original documents:

• Park 16 Project Update 6, December 2021 (PDF, 2 pages, 603 Kb)

• Park 20 Project Update, December 2021 (PDF, 2 pages, 445 Kb)