8 Sure-fire tips to reduce public falls and accidents
Our culture surrounding trips or falls has changed dramatically. Gone are the days of having an accident and only having ourselves to blame. Influenced by the suing culture of overseas countries, the number of lawsuits filed against businesses, local governments and individuals in Australia has risen rapidly. Companies and local governments are often being thrust...
Drainage – A fundamental but often forgotten part of construction
Let’s face it, it’s not the most glamorous topic to talk about, but it is essential for every single commercial and residential property. The increase in rapid changes in weather conditions has led towards the implementation of more secure and robust drainage systems to ensure we are equipped for sporadic changes in climate. How drainage...
Plants and Bats
In mostly urban areas some wildlife can be seen as a potential problem or even threat. Flying fox (Pteropus sp.) is one of those species that is often complained about in cities and large towns. Those complaints are related to smell and noise of the camps. Added to that is the fear of the Australian...
Facade designs
The exterior of a building makes an important impression on visitors and buyers alike, hinting at the design and style of the interior while speaking volumes about the people who live inside. Why not consider updating your home’s facade to reflect your lifestyle and personality? It won’t only make a more attractive place for you...
Public/private partnerships the key to greener communities
In this guest post, contributor Wes Fleming discusses why private/public partnerships could hold the key towards future-proofing our suburbs while securing more green space in the municipalities which need them most. Whenever I drive around some of Melbourne’s oldest inner-suburban pockets, I am astounded by the number of derelict street corners, disused urban blocks and...
Myrtle Rust an example of failed bio-security
In 2010-2011 a fungus, the Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii), made the headlines of not only trades magazines but also mainstream papers such as the Sydney Morning Herald. The Myrtle Rust as its name indicates affects trees and shrubs in the Myrtaceae family. The Myrtaceae is a large family of plants and includes Australian natives like...
One man’s trash is another man’s tower
Green structures and buildings are a growing trend, but never quite like this before. Chartier-Corbasson has designed a concept for a skyscraper that would be constructed from the recycled waste of its occupants. The Organic London Skyscraper would reuse the paper and plastic waste created by the residents to create panels for its continued construction....
Outdoor Bench Seating Design Ideas
Many local council areas appreciate the value of providing bench seating in public locations. Benches offer a convenient seating option that can cater for several people at one time, and they are also economical in terms of space and price. In busy city settings, bench seats can serve as a resting point in shopping precincts...
Cut and fill
As I mentioned in my last blog, where landscaping is concerned cut and fill sites come with their own set of problems. What usually happens to a cut and fill site? The excavated material is piled irrespective of its natural layers. Top soil and sub soil is either mixed up together or more often the...
Soil preparation
When we design or plant a garden, we want our final product to stand the test of time. Plants need to be healthy when we plant them and continue to be so year after year. Good soil preparation is the primary reason for a healthy and successful garden. Begin by understanding the soil you will...
Cleaning Our Acts
As all landscapers are well aware, we are often the last trade called in after house alterations or new construction work. While most trades leave the site clean, we often have to deal with the residues of their clean-up operation, This is mostly a problem where cement products are concerned. Nowadays, the wash out from paint...
Eating out
Cooking outdoors has always been a common sight in Australia. The BBQ is its most common form, although in the last decade we have seen it being transformed from the sizzle to the semi professional. The Pizza oven is the second most common, likely due to the Pizza oven kits you can buy over the...
