Revisiting the Chirnside Park Green Spine
The Green Spine was a Shire of Yarra Ranges project where Jamie Tainton (while at Storm Consulting) worked with Aspect Studios on a Green Gateway along the Maroondah Highway between Bushy creek in the west to the Chirnside Park Shopping Centre in the east.
The intention of the project was to construct a 3m wide shared pathway along this length with key features that encouraged community interaction and engagement. The path was to included Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) elements to offset the increased impervious footprint. The project also included vast planting of local trees and vegetation to accentuate the intention of the overall “Green Spine”. The project won a Melbourne Design Award in 2011 for its response to the design challenges of the project, the sustainability focus and connection to the local community.
The shared pathway was aptly named after local indiginous leader William Barak and creates strong links to the importance he had for the local community.
“William Barak was born into the Wurundjeri clan of the Woi wurung people in 1823, in the area now known as Croydon, in Melbourne. Originally named Beruk Barak, he adopted the name William after joining the Native Police as a 19 year old. Barak was an activist, an artist, a cultural ambassador and an educator” University of Melbourne
In returning to the site over 10 years after its installation, we can see how well the vegetation is doing in the ephemeral wetland and bioretention areas. The imagery below highlights the difference and how the fencing has weathered, how the vegetation has grown, and genrally how well its fairing.
The pockets of bioretention are scattered along the full length of the project taking polluted runoff from the roadway into the vegetated areas. The stormwater diversions have held up well however we’d look to improve the aesthetic of their design in future projects. The decking in the original boardawalk is starting to look tired and could do with a refresh. Perhaps a modwood might last longer if replaced?
While reviewing the site we saw numerous walkers commuting along the pathway including the elderly on scooters appreciative of the hardstand connection. It was wonderful seeing the assets being used an appreciated by the community.
