GbLA was commissioned by Development Victoria to prepare a landscape masterplan, design and construction documentation and oversee the preservation and rehabilitation of a 13-hectares site, Wanginu Park, Sunbury. The formerly degraded site is part of Development Victoria’s Jacksons Hill residential development and has become a valuable piece of open space for the local community.

The area was set aside by Development Victoria to treat stormwater and protect valuable habitat and archaeological artefacts while meeting Development Victoria’s objectives for vegetation offset management through improvement of Plains Grassland vegetation.

GbLA worked with the former Ecological Engineering and Paroissien Grant and Associates to prepare a rehabilitation strategy for the heavily degraded Harpers Creek that meanders through part of the site and also for the design of a constructed stormwater wetland within difficult terrain. The vegetation management and improvement regimes includes the establishment of more 200,000 plants, mosaic burning and fencing to exclude grazing and promote recruitment of the native seed bank.

The development of a passive circulation trail and interpretive signage strategy also helped local residents engage with the space.