Landcom has appointed Design Landscapes to complete the parklands component of its $1.6 billion masterplanned community ‘The Ponds’.

The multi-million dollar Central and Northern Parklands contract includes a three kilometre riparian corridor that runs through the heart of the suburb, in

Clouston Associates were responsible for the overall parkland design, and it has been five years in the making.

Justine Kinch from Clouston Associates said: “The design intent was to maintain consistency across the entire parklands project with unique elements strategically placed to create a sense of place and assist with orientation.

“The Central and Northern Parklands has a more natural feel when compared to some of the surroundings regions due to its geographical position. It is situated between Pond 9 and a large area retained Cumberland Plain Woodland.”

“Pond 9 and the associated rain gardens will be prominent water bodies within the suburb, providing a water-quality function that filters the stormwater run-off from the community before it enters the creek system.

“A curved pedestrian bridge across Pond 9 will link both sides of the residential area to give residents an up close and personal experience with water and nature.”

An indigenous influence was created to spread across the new playground and public art pieces to pay homage to the area’s past.

The art pieces will reflect aboriginal artifacts and the new playground will act as a cultural learning space supported by “Gathering”, an aboriginal sculpture.

The playground will also boast an abundance of native trees for shade and timber decking to give a natural feel to the environment.

The new parklands will also feature three managed lawn areas or passive recreational spaces for recreational activities including picnics and exercise activities. Another aboriginal artwork “Under Story” will also feature prominently in this area.

Over half a million trees, shrubs and native plants will also be installed within this contract and managed by both Design Landscapes and Greening Australia.

Andrew Ewington, Project Manager for Design Landscapes said: “It is a privilege to be asked to complete the Central and Northern Parklands project for Landcom. They have created a masterplanned neighbourhood that looked to the broader community for their input which has helped achieve an outcome that everyone is very proud of. The parklands component creates an important element to the urban fabric Landcom is building.”

Design Landscapes will oversee the entire project, Incoll Management (now Savills Project Management) is contracted to project manage the Central and Northern Parklands project, Clouston Associates is providing the Landscape Architecture, the engineers are J Wyndham Prince and the pedestrian bridges and decks will be constructed by Fleetwood Urban.

The Ponds is a 320 hectare master-planned community which is being developed by Landcom and Australand. It is marketed as Sydneye’s newest suburb, based around six feature ponds, complemented by 80 hectares of bushland corridor. It will comprise over 3,000 homes when complete.