EAC Report No: 19/15
ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC)
LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL
OPEN SPACE CONSTRUCTION
Date:
9 November 2015
Author:
Sonya Reyes – Environment Restoration Plan Coordinator
EAC Report No: 19/15
Subject
Voyager Point Environment Group (VPEG) Project
Executive Summary
From March to June 2015 the Voyager Point Environment Group worked with Council’s
Environment Restoration Plan (ERP) Team and City Presentation on a joint initiative to
undertake revitilisation works in a number of garden areas in the Voyager Point Park area. The
project resulted in removal of some degraded vegetation, site preparation and planting of
native plant species. Councils City Presentation Team completed the high risk activities
including vegetation clearing and some site preparation. The Voyager Point Environment
Group (VPEG) member’s added value to the project by contributing volunteer hours to
completing some site preparation, and planting for the project.
This report recommends that the EAC note the report.
Detailed Report
Background
In March 2015, City Presentation staff contacted the Environment Restoration Plan (ERP)
Team with a proposal to undertake major landscaping works around the Community Centre
at Voyager Point and wanted to discuss any impacts with existing Environment Group works.
Staff discussed the work that has been completed around the park area by the Voyager Point
Environment Group (VPEG) and the possibility of involving the Environment Group in
undertaking some of the proposed project works to add value to the existing project.
ERP Staff liaised with the VPEG Coordinator Jeff Webster, and City Presentation staff to
meet on site to discuss the project. On the 1 May 2015, ERP Staff, City Presentation staff
and Jeff Webster met at Voyager point to discuss the project proposal including what work
was proposed, who would be responsible for undertaking various tasks, and a timeline for
the project work.
The Voyager Point Project
Following the meeting on 1 May 2015, ERP Staff developed a project plan outlining all tasks
and project work responsibilities, including a map showing zones of proposed works
(Attachment 1).
The main components of the Voyager Point Project proposal included:
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Major landscaping around the Voyager Point Community Centre using native plants
to blend in with the surrounding park bushland gardens and
Redesign of Voyager Point Park entrance gardens and Roundabout vegetation with
native landscape design planting involving the VPEG to undertake some of the
proposed planting.
Project Benefits
A number of benefits were generated as a result of Council working in conjunction with the
Voyager Point Environment Group which included:
• Successful delivery of project between Council and the Voyager Point Environment
Group
• Positive feedback from the VPEG members
• Additional interest in local residents joining the VPEG
• Positive feedback from residents regarding the works
• Continual liaison between ERP Staff, City presentation Staff and the VPEG members
with ongoing works on site.
• Value adding to an existing Council project by involving Environment Volunteers to
contribute to the project.
• Value adding to Environment Restoration Plan works by involving City Presentation to
undertake more high risk works to support Environment Group works.
• Improved amenity and aesthetics of the Voyager Point park area
• Incorporation of native planting in parkland areas to support locally native vegetation
and fauna
Sustainability Considerations
Social
Projects being completed between environment volunteers and Council provide excellent
opportunities for the community to be involved in delivering worthwhile environmental projects.
These projects enable Council to undertake the majority of high risk work, and then allow the
environment volunteers to contribute to projects in a coordinated way. These projects also
benefit the local residents who then have increased amenity and aesthetics in their local area.
The project has also encouraged more local residents to become part of the Voyager Point
Environment Group.
Economic
Undertaking joint projects between Council and Environment Volunteers results in a number of
economic benefits including:
• Council saving on staff resources by allowing environment volunteers to undertake some
of the labour components of the projects
• Savings to purchases of plants due to locally native plants being cheaper than hybrid
landscaping stock
Environmental
The Voyager Point Projects has resulted in a number of positive environmental benefits including:
• The ability to incorporate locally native vegetation in landscaping projects which then
blend bushland into garden areas.
• The use of locally native vegetation in the landscaped areas provides great
environmental benefit for supporting the locally native bushland and providing habitat
for local native wildlife.
• Increased awareness of the local community of locally native vegetation in their
parklands
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Changes in behavior of participants and the broader community in living a more
sustainable lifestyle
Increase in knowledge of the broader community on the Sustainability program’s
Council deliver to support a more Sustainable Liverpool.
Budget Considerations
Funding was allocated by City Presentation to undertake the major landscaping works around the
Community Centre.
Funding was available in the Environment Levy budget to facilitate support for the Environment Group
to participate in the project.
Recommendation
That the Environment Advisory Committee note the report.
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ATTACHMENT 1 – Voyager Point Project Plan
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