Appendices (880kb pdf) - Department of Environment, Water and

109 Pages·2006·0.86 MB·English

Section 9.0

APPENDICES

Figure 9.1 Photograph over the Main Lake towards the summit of Mount Lofty. Source: David Jones
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Appendix 1

Notes about the Mt Lofty Botanic Garden Landscape
Master Plan
Allan D Correy, 15 July 2003; revised 25 July 2003

• Terms of reference – 1962 brief – primary function a botanic garden – no public vehicular access –
emphasis on exotic spp. – unskilled labour economical as possible – practical, logical design.
• E. obliqua – E. baxteri association (Stringybark – Brown Stringybark)
• Importance of MtLBG in its regional context – overall impact.
• Function as a botanic garden – collection of living plants.
• Unifying theme proposal / important in regional content.
• Botanical role, display of living collection, conservation of local flora sanctuary for fauna – passive
recreation.
• Storage of excess runoff on site – lakes as detention basin.
• Fire control and management critical.

• Challenge to design botanic garden that will make landscape more beautiful than it was before.

• Total site area 170 ac [68.7ha] in 1963 – now over 200 ac. [80.8ha]
• Fire breaks of 1 chain width cleared around perimeter of site by 1959.
• Change of level over site of 500 ft [152m] – potential vs. practical problems with development and access
within site.

• Importance of natural topography defining significant ridges and gullies giving site distinctive local
character – strong dendritic drainage within.
• Importance of careful development on steep and severe slopes to prevent soil erosion.
• Importance of Somerset Rocks as landscape feature.
• Importance of waterfall on Fifth Creek.
• Importance of Silver Hill Mine site.
• Importance of stringybark association vegetation on upper slopes and ridgetops.
• Importance of preserving major views identified – panoramic / framed / focal.
• Importance of preserving significant natural vegetation.
• Natural landform relatively unchanged by earlier developments therefore chance to design botanic garden
unique in SA.
• Challenge to design unique new landscape which is also an integral part of Mt Lofty region.

Themes explored:
1. altitudinal progression from sea level to snowline to exploit 500 ft [152m] of level change and
steep slope – visual bands would be too dominating;
2. broad regional /geographical – visual contrast to surroundings too dominating;
3. modern ecological approach related to similar climatic and adaphic factors – limiting in species
choice but very practical;
4. Final choice of theme combining ecological and regional/geographical adopted – displays of
broad regions of alpine, sub-alpine, temperate with species grouped ecologically would be more
acceptable visually overall.

Within regions sub-regions of geographical areas, Nth America, Sth America, Europe, Africa, Asia,
Australasian to be grouped.
All future development to follow this theme.

Topography
• Vehicular routes to be sited along rather than against existing contours.
• Major buildings to be sited on flat, gentle or moderate slopes.
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• Large area land uses such as nurseries, carparks to be sited on flat or gentle slopes to avoid excessive
earthworks

Climate
• Importance of shade and shelter planting and exploitation of warm/sheltered microclimates for planting
displays and visitor use areas.

Soils
• Best soils to be used for special plantings or excavated and redistributed to appropriate locations on site.
• Importance of co-operation with Stirling Council on landscape design associated with public roads
leading to the MtLBG. Idea was to extend planting from BG along surrounding roads.

Vehicular Considerations
• Use of red-brown bitumen surface to all vehicular roads within site. White quartzite gravel should not be
used on the site to avoid glare.
• Siting of small parking areas (up to 20 vehicles) rather than parking deserts near major vehicular entrances
and public buildings.
• Pedestrian/vehicular separation wherever possible throughout.
• Special attention to main pedestrian entrances and lookouts at highest point on site.

Pedestrian Walks
• Circular walks, variety of interest, linking to other parts of overall network especially for first-time visits.

Lake System
• Importance visually, modify microclimatic variations, provide wildlife habitats, fire fighting reserves.
Only upper lake has ever been constructed (modified without islands), fountains.

Pools & Watercourses
• Important features as waterbodies and as dry rocky creek beds typical of SA landscapes – development of
dry gardens in most creeks. Fifth Creek to be developed as a perennial stream with natural
waterfall.

Boundaries
• Boundaries on site to be defined with low dry stone walls in traditional vernacular style of Adelaide Hills.
Much stone from site could be collected and used in this way.

Powerlines
• Powerlines to be placed underground on site.

Structures and Buildings
• Siting of buildings and structures and importance of materials. Administration Centre, Restaurant,
Tearooms. All architectural elements to be a series of competitions. Roof materials especially
important as these will often be viewed from upper parts of site and should not be obtrusive.

Rock Gardens
• West facing Somerset Rocks for warm temperate spp. waterfall rock garden on Fifth Creek, alpine rock
garden on south slope of Long Ridge and overlooking Upper Lake. Alpine dome associated with
this for special/rare collection.

Silver Hill Mine and Museum
• Interpretation and planting now popular education theme in many institutions such as botanic garden.

Outdoor Theatre and Music Bowl
• Provision for outdoor entertainment now standard practice in most public gardens.

Outdoor Exhibition Area
• Also now standard practice in most botanic gardens.

Nature Reserve
• To conserve remnant site vegetation.
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• Retention of existing vegetation as backdrop to new planting and to form unifying elements along
ridgetops and upper slopes of site. Comparison with retention of natural woodland at Arnold
Arboretum in USA.

Proposed Plantings
• Colour restricted to bottomlands and enclosed gullies to be discovered and to echo surrounding land uses
of orchards.

Overall Planting Theme (simplified/modified for aspect)
1. Broad Climatic Zones
Alpine
Sub-Alpine
Cool-temperate
Warm-temperate

2. Broad Geographic Areas
Northern Hemisphere
Nth America
Europe
Asia
Mediterranean
Southern Hemisphere
Sth America
Australasia
Oceania
Africa

• Special MtLBG Act desirable for funding.

• Scale model – where is it now? Development Committee

• Additional surveys – soil, vegetation, wildlife.
• Temporary focal point to terminate Grand Axis from Piccadilly entrance. Proposed site for
Administration Building.
• Archives – planting records – air photo records – photographic records before/after record – drawings
records

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Appendix 2
Buildings and Structures Heritage Assessments

Building / Structure Assessment
Collin Robjohns Gates Description
1996 Gates designed and constructed by Greg Johns; pillars constructed by
Garden staff to a design by Johns
1996 Gates opened by Sir Eric Neal, 15 September 1996
Construction:
Wrought steel – corten steel finish with twisted palisades and metal pieces.
Gates hung on bluestone pillars (constructed by Garden staff) bluestone
source – ‘ballast’ in wool export ships arriving in South Australia.
Condition - good.
Assessment of Significance
Typical of the work of Greg Johns – works consist typically of metal fencing/
gates structures, free-standing sculptures. Commemorates the work of
Dr Colin Robjohns – founding President of The Friends of the Botanic
Gardens.
Significance Value
Moderate social significance – commemorating Dr Colin Robjohns –
founding President of The Friends of the Botanic Gardens
Minor aesthetic significance value – artwork by notable local artist.
Garage, near Campbell Avenue Description
- shed demolished 20+ years ago.
Gazebo, upper level near Thomson conifer garden Description
1983 Timber gazebo erected by G Barker. Timber framed structure, with
shingle and slatted timber batten roof – ‘pagoda’ form. Walls clad with
timber battens, fixed diagonally. Timber deck floor structure. Condition
– poor. Timber work weathered, floor decking loose, post bases decayed
and framing decayed/ weathered. Structure currently fenced off -
‘unsafe for the public’. Requires structural repairs and sealing of all
timber.
Assessment of Significance
Typical timber gazebo structure of the period, in poor condition.
Significance Value
No appreciable significance.

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Regional Headquarters Description
c1980s – building erected as ‘upper garden’ depot, lunchroom, toilets and
store for staff. Existing administration building to remain as lower
Garden depot – plan did not eventuate and building is today used as a
staff lunchroom, store and toilets. Single storey structure, colorbond
corrugated steel sheet roof, timber windows, face brown brick walls.
Interior – offices, lunchroom (sometimes used for educational activities)
change-rooms, toilets and store/ workshop. Domestic in scale and
design. Condition – excellent.
Assessment of Significance
Building is typical of domestic structures of the 1980s period and is not of
aesthetic merit.
Significance Value
No appreciable significance.
Administration Building Complex Description
1969 Plans prepared by Dean Berry (Berry Gilbert Barker & Polomka) for
Administration Building, including office, shade house, garages,
workshop and seedling beds.
1974 New workshop and maintenance yards erected
1981 Administration Building extended by Dean Berry
Administration building is sited along ‘Rocky Ridge Road’ and is constructed
of face concrete brick, with a low gable roof, clad with corrugated iron
roof sheeting. 1981 addition roof – corrugated fibre cement sheeting
(?asbestos – consult asbestos register). The building contains offices, a
lunch room/ staff room, change rooms and toilets, store areas and a
workshop area. Doors and windows are timber in construction and walls
and ceilings are lined internally with plasterboard. Floors are tiled in
finish. Access is via a steep ramp and/ or steps. The condition of the
building is good, with minor rising damp damage to bricks evident below
the DPC. The external wall between the 1969 and 1981 section of the
building has been clad with painted fibre cement sheet/ asbestos sheet
(check asbestos register).
Sheds to the west are functional in design – steel framed, clad with painted
corrugated steel sheeting.
Assessment of Significance
The sheds and concrete brick administration building is typical in
design/detail for buildings of the period – domestic and other – and is
not of aesthetic merit.
Significance Value
No appreciable significance.

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Nursery Complex Description
1959 Nursery No 1 site selected by Lothian and first metal structures erected
(down gully below Administration building)
1963 Old Pathology School glass house erected on North Terrace campus of
University of Adelaide to design by Woods Bagot
1985 Old Pathology School glass house relocated to Adelaide Botanic Garden
nursery precinct
1989 Old Pathology School glass house relocated to Mt Lofty Botanic Garden
Nursery No 1
2000 remaining glasshouses located at North Terrace ABG relocate to Black
Hill.
2003 – 2 x glass houses relocated from Black Hill to Mount Lofty (formerly of
North Terrace)
Nursery shed – single storey structure, with painted concrete block and render
walls, low pitch roof, aluminium windows, porch to rear. Accommodates
workshop and preparation areas, office and toilets.
Glass house – 1 x exg – steel/ aluminium framed glasshouse, with painted
glazing. Mounted on concrete floor, covered by shade cloth on metal
frame. Condition – good.
Glasshouse – 2 x in erection - steel/ aluminium framed glasshouses, mounted
on a concrete floor and wall upstand. Currently in construction on site.
Other buildings – small glass house, tanks and shade structures. Extensive
shade structure west of glass houses, clad in shade cloth.
Assessment of Significance
Nursery shed is a utilitarian structure – to suit functional needs. Shade cloth
shade houses are typical in detail for such structures. Glass houses
representative of functional needs for research glass houses of the 1950s-
1960s period.
Significance Value
Nursery shed and shade houses – no appreciable significance. Glass houses –
minor social significance because of continuing historic association with
Adelaide Botanic Garden. Of some aesthetic significance as a
representation of the functional needs and detailing of structures of the
period.

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Fern Gully Depot Description
1959? Toilet structure erected by Garden staff
1985 Shed modified and new lunchroom and toolshed erected
Construction: Split face painted concrete brick wall structure, with steel framed
flat roof over, located clear of walls to allow continuous ventilation to
inside. Underside of roof lined with asbestos sheeting (refer asbestos
register). Interior accommodates toilets and hand basins, walls and floor
are tiled in finish. Condition – acceptable – gutter corroded, timber
fascia boards weathered and split, roof structure and fascias need
painting.
Assessment of Significance
Toilet structure functional in design and typical of ablution facilities in public
parks of the period. Not unique.
Significance Value

No appreciable significance.
Toilets – Lower Car Park Description
1997 - northern toilet building constructed
1998 - southern toilet building erected.
Construction: Split face painted concrete brick wall structures, with steel framed
flat roof over each, located clear of walls to allow continuous ventilation
to inside. Underside of roof lined with asbestos sheeting (north toilet
building only - refer asbestos register). Interior accommodates toilets
and hand basins, walls and floor are tiled in finish. Condition –
acceptable – timber fascia boards weathered and split, roof structure and
fascias need painting. North toilet upgraded as disability facility.
Assessment of Significance
Toilet structures are functional in design and typical of ablution facilities in
public parks of the period. Not unique.

Significance Value
No appreciable significance.

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Toilets – Upper Car Park Description
1977 - toilet building constructed adjacent car park
1998 – toilet building erected beyond 1977 toilets
Construction: Split face painted concrete brick wall structures, with steel framed
flat roof over each, located clear of walls to allow continuous ventilation
to inside. Underside of roof lined with asbestos sheeting (1977 toilet
building only - refer asbestos register). Interior accommodates toilets
and hand basins, walls and floor are tiled in finish. Condition –
acceptable – timber fascia boards weathered and split, roof structure and
fascias need painting. 1977 toilet upgraded as disability facility.
Assessment of Significance
Toilet structures are functional in design and typical of ablution facilities in
public parks of the period. Not unique.
Significance Value
No appreciable significance.
Toilets – Woodland Garden Description
1977 Toilet constructed
Construction: Split face painted concrete brick wall structure, with steel framed
flat roof over, located clear of walls to allow continuous ventilation to
inside. Underside of roof lined with asbestos sheeting (refer asbestos
register). Interior accommodates toilets and hand basins, walls and floor
are tiled in finish. Later ‘Atco’ transportable shed installed behind.
Condition – acceptable – timber fascia boards weathered and split, roof
structure and fascias need painting.
Assessment of Significance
Toilet structure is functional in design and typical of ablution facilities in
public parks of the period. Not unique.
Significance Value
No appreciable significance.

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