Walkabout in the Parklands
Author: Wendy Benfer, Kingaroy Branch
Published: Journal December 2022
It was an opportunity too good to miss! An outing with the Garden Design Study Group and a guided tour of Roma Street Parklands by Lawrie Smith. Lawrie is the leader of the GDSG and was a landscape architect involved in the original design and construction of the Parklands.
Roma Street Parkland which incorporates Albert Park, covers 16 hectares in the heart of the Brisbane city, an area that was previously occupied by old railyards and markets. One of the challenges of the site was the steep terrain, and extensive earthworks were carried out to create the present layout.
The Parkland has a diverse variety of plants, many of which are native to Australia, although a large proportion are introduced species. Regardless of the origins of the plants, Lawrie was able to point out different design features as we meandered around the themed spaces or ‘rooms’. Hedges often formed the walls of these ‘rooms’, but Lawrie pointed out the importance of also allowing some ‘windows’ so that the viewer can see a broader vista beyond. Most of the design elements mentioned by Lawrie are relevant for home gardens as well.
From the ‘Escarpment Lookout’, there are extensive Parkland views. It was also possible to get close to the flower of Doryanthes palmeri, growing on the slopes below.
Moving down the walkways, one is exposed to different plant communities — from rainforest and hinterland ranges to pandanus-clad headlands. Water features play an important part in the design of the Parkland and the lakeshore reflects the once extensive lagoons and wetlands along what is now Roma Street. Recycled water is used for the water features and irrigation.
View from lookout with Doryanthes palmeri
flower in foreground
Sandstone sculptures by Rhyl Hinwood
Bertling Walls
The textured coloured walls (above) visible around the site, developed through a process called ‘Bertling’, emphasises the post industrial nature of the railyards and provide interest and contrast to the natural elements of the escarpment and vegetation.
It is certainly a nice venue for the NPQ Christmas 2022 breakup to which we are all invited.