Background

Phoenix Park Wetland is surrounded by many quality facilities including educational institutions (secondary school and TAFE campus), sporting and leisure facilities (tennis, racing, baseball clubs and aquatic centre), as well as a shopping centre.

However, the wetland's interior is mostly barren with exposed soils and lack of large trees. It is identified as a good community project aimed at education and training for the youth and has the potential to be further enhanced as a functional, attractive and serene public open space.

The Phoenix Park Wetlands is an area that is currently underutilised by the public and has been highlighted by Council as a potential area to increase usable public space. It is one of the two largest individual sites within the built area of Port Pirie that are likely to contribute to the movement of dust.

In 2015 Council developed a Masterplan to re-develop the wetlands environment to include walking paths, recreational and educational spaces, signage, planting, furniture, boardwalks and artistic elements.

Given the high strategic value of this site for health and greening and other purposes, Greening Port Pirie funds have been provided towards implementing the Phoenix Park Wetlands Masterplan.

Upgrades to the Phoenix Park Wetlands

The redevelopment of the Wetlands will include:

A new two-way entrance with adjacent footpath, including:

• New pockets of landscaping and mulch to verges for dust suppression
• New native tree plantings
• New bitumen two-way entry into Phoenix Park
• New pedestrian footpath adjacent to road into Phoenix Park
• Upgraded shared path
• New wayfinding.

New lawn with shade trees and car parks:

• New pockets of landscaping and mulch to verges for dust suppression
• New bitumen carriageway
• New car park adjacent to lawn with new trees
• New lawn with shade trees
• Log fence between car park and lawn
• New table sets provide picnic opportunities for families.

Levee with ground covers and coir logs:

• New ground cover to verges for dust suppression
• New native shrubs plantings
• Looped gravel maintenance road
• Coir logs to protect levee from heavy water flows and sediment movement.

Resources

Greening Port Pirie Program - Landscaping Design

Phoenix Park Wetlands Landscaping Concept Design: The new two-way entrance with adjacent footpath