The outcome of a collaborative process, the Wharf Street Basin embodies innovation and environmental stewardship at a community scale. The project team repurposed a formerly fenced-off drainage basin into a publicly accessible open space that serves as a park while retaining its drainage function. This “smart park” incorporates a range of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to measure water quality, weather and power use in the park in real time. The data is available via an open data portal and park maintenance is tied to the monitoring system. The rill pump and wetland treatment system are triggered at certain water levels to reduce algal blooms and improve water health.
Wharf Street Basin – Next Generation Community Park is located in Cannington, Western Australia on the land of the Whadjuk Noongar people.
Project credits
Project lead and landscape architect City of Canning Project landscape architect Josh Byrne and Associates Project grant funding The Australian Government Smart Cities and Suburbs Program Funding partner, infrastructure owner and partner working group member Water Corporation Drainage for Liveability Program Funding partner and partner working group member Department of Water and Environmental Regulation Partner working group member Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Partner working group member Innovation Central Perth Partner working group member and leader of associated research project Curtin University Community engagement, project management and hydrology consultant Urbaqua Project ecologists, fauna relocations and housing and fauna reintroduction consultant Bamford Consulting Ecologists Landscape contractor Environmental Industries Collaborator (artwork, nest boxes and habitat sculptures) Cannington Community College Photographer Danica Zuks
To view all the winners of the 2022 National Landscape Architecture Awards, go here.
