WATERSCAPES WELL-DESIGNED BILLABONG
29 Mar 2017
Waterscapes Australia have recently completed the design and construction of a rural homestead billabong that provides space for users to play, relax and reconnect with nature.
With more than 20 years of global experience in the design and construction of ponds and water gardens, Waterscapes Australia has the expertise to create a wide range of water features for a variety of project needs. Whether it’s a commercial water feature, a large acreage project or a swimming pool conversion, Waterscapes Australia gives the same attention to detail and invests the same creativity into all of its designs.
Recently, Waterscapes Australia was tasked with the design and construction of a rural property water feature that would connect the natural landscape to the rural homestead. Waterscapes Australia carried out an on-site assessment to determine the best position and size for the ecosystem billabong and delivered on their promise of a stunning completed project.
According to company owner Patrick Handley, “We wanted the ideal aspect, one where the flow of the existing landscape and surrounding panoramas would converge and integrate the design. At 11m x 17m, the feature is large but well scaled for the area. A big boulder, spotted in a local rock pile, bares the remnants of an artesian bore hole and worked perfectly as a waterfall into the wetland. The Waterscapes Australia crew has a good eye for aesthetics and will always add elements not initially planned as the project unfolds and the creativity flows. Select pieces of the boulder were used as stepping stones across a narrower end of the billabong, where they appear to float.”
This well-designed ecosystem billabong features a filter area inhabited by naturally occurring beneficial bacteria that capture and process nutrient loads in the water. Rushes, reeds and edible aquatic plants, such as watercress, were planted in the wetland filter and the entire floor of the billabong is covered with pebble, which acts as supporting filtration for the system. Iris, marsh marigold and water lilies are examples of the many aquatics in the marginal zones. There are even a few Murray cod. A stream connects the billabong with the wetland filter that is the heart of the ecosystem.
“We look at a landscape as a blank canvas then set about designing and building an amazing masterpiece inspired by nature, be it a rock pool, stream, garden pond or natural swimming pond,” says Patrick. “We include many of the elements found in a natural stream or rock pool and we use equipment from Aquascape Supplies Australia that is specifically designed for natural water features, and a construction style that promotes a healthy pond ecology. We aren’t just limited to waterscaping,” adds Patrick. “We offer a maintenance service on top of our Australia-wide consultation, design and construction services. We can also do general landscaping and hardscaping as building a stream, rock pool or natural swimming pond is only painting half of the picture.”
Find out more about the Waterscapes Australia services at waterscapesaustralia.com.au
This article originally appeared in Outdoor Design and Living #34 and was written by Karen Booth.
