Public Open Space

One million dollars was spent on landscaping Eaton Drive, the main entry into MillBridge Private Estate, the Display Village, the premiere stage and the creek corridors adjacent to Millars Creek.

Landscape Architects Tract WA designed Stages 1 and 2 to complement the natural features and existing vegetation of Millars Creek and to extend the native vegetation through the earth-worked areas of the Display Village and Premiere Stage.

Ecoscape have designed the Collie Foreshore management plan whilst Landscape Developments have been the major landscape contractor for the past few years.

The trees that have been planted include red flowering gums, spotted gums, lemon scented gums, apple gums, willow myrtles, marri and tuart trees, with colourful flowering shrubs and ground covers such as Grevillea ‘gin gin gem’ and ‘mauve clusters’.

The highlight of the Eaton Drive entry into MillBridge is the 8100m2 park, incorporating a lake which features a raised water funnel that spouts water into a pebble basin.

Freshwater paperbark trees are planted in raised planter boxes in the lake.  The lake is complemented by limestone steps at several points around the end of the lake and plantings of reeds.

The streetscape incorporates poured concrete footpaths, painted decorative street light poles, park furniture, fencing and matching handrails which is in keeping with the unique environment.

Pauline Dillon from Landscape Developments has been working on the MillBridge site from day one and is thrilled to see the planting and landscaping maturing and blending into the already stunning backdrop. Pauline, Ian and Bernie from Landscape Developments have been working alongside the developers to achieve a look and feel that is in sympathy with the environment. Whilst a definite plan is an advantage to work with, sometimes it’s a matter of actually being on site and looking at the topography to see if what is drawn really is best for the site. The past three stages have been done as “design and construct” on site which we believe compliments our ethos and vision.

Stage 8 park on Hunter Circle took a while in the planning and the results have been well worth the wait. From a fantastic raised “Bosque” with BBQ area, seating, mature trees and plans for a future playground you get to see the 6 acre park in its entirety. The ground slopes gently eastwards towards Millars Creek and is well lawned for family gatherings and looks over the Stage area for future entertainment in the park.

The use of well established feature trees such as the Manchurian Pear and Jacaranda are offset beautifully by the natural bush in the creek line lower down the park area.

A series of drainage basins runs down the slope and drains through the sand of each basin, filtering any unwanted nutrients prior to running into Millars Creek via a stone pitched drain- An environmentally friendly way to dispose of excess stormwater from the road system.

FORESHORE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Ecoscape has conducted surveys of the Creek and the Collie River which abut the land in MillBridge and have designed a revegetation and weed management plan to keep the waterways and foreshore as clear as possible of noxious weeds.

Blackberry and Arum Lilly were two of the worst noxious weeds that have been diligently and systematically removed. A Weed control program for spraying has been underway for three years and the results have been fantastic.  This eradication program is allowing us to replant the old weed infested areas with new tube stock or seed only with species that are indigenous to the unique Millars Creek location.