Navigating the Development Application (DA) process for landscape plans in NSW can be challenging, but with preparation and the right strategy, you can ensure a smoother approval process. This guide from Your Landscape Journey provides
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Explore the dynamic balance of form vs function in landscape design. Learn to create stunning spaces that combine beauty and practicality. Discover the secret to balancing beauty and practicality in landscape design! In ‘Function vs. Form: How to Strike the Perfect Balance,’ we explore how to create spaces that captivate and endure. Learn why you don’t have to compromise between usability and artistry, and how a well-designed landscape can offer both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
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Strengthen client relationships and avoid disputes with clients using our practical guide. Discover strategies to minimise misunderstandings. As a landscape designer in New South Wales, building strong, collaborative relationships with clients is essential to ensure smooth project execution and avoid disputes. With clear communication, proper
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In the ever-changing terrain of Australia, where floods are an inevitable part of the landscape, we turn our attention to investigating practical landscaping strategies that can empower you to shift from being a victim to a survivor in the face of rising waters.
Start with the basics. Understand the flood risk in your area. Check local flood maps, consult with authorities, and consider your property’s elevation.
Your garden can be both stunning and resilient. Choose plants that thrive in wet conditions, like Bottlebrushes (Callistemon), Paperbarks (Melaleuca) Tea Trees (Leptospermum), Swamp Oaks (Casuarina glauca) or Swamp Lilies (Crinum pedunculatum). Consider elevated flower beds to keep your blooms above potential floodwaters.
Strategic hardscaping is your tactical move against floods. Build retaining walls strategically to redirect water away from vulnerable areas. Opt for permeable surfaces like gravel or permeable pavers that allow water to penetrate the ground, reducing runoff.
Turn excess water into an asset with rain gardens. These are essentially depressed areas planted with water-loving vegetation that absorb and manage rainwater. Learn how to create a rain garden on your property, turning a potential flood risk into a beautiful and functional feature.
Where possible, elevate sheds, seating areas, and play spaces to keep them above potential flood levels. This not only protects your investments but also creates additional usable space. Practical and efficient!
Work together with your neighbours to create communal rain gardens, and share knowledge. Together, you can create public spaces that are capable of bouncing back after a flood event as well as building a strong community bond.
Take a virtual tour of gardens that have weathered floods successfully. Discover practical tips from gardeners who’ve been there. These real-life stories provide actionable insights that you can implement in your own backyard.
As you can see there are there are numerous ways to mitigate the impact of a flood on your garden. While implementing strategic landscape designs can help reduce the effects, it’s important to note that these measures don’t offer an absolute guarantee of protection.
…. and if you need any further help, ring Angela on 0416397258 for expert advice on Your Landscape Journey.
The landscape industry presents a unique set of challenges for professionals, whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced individual seeking to advance your career or run a thriving business. Fortunately, for landscape professionals seeking to enhance their skills and navigate the challenges that face landscape professionals, Angela offers a unique coaching and mentoring service to help you take your professional skills to the next level.
Find out how my 30 years of experience as a Landscape Architect, Horticulturist, Structural Landscaper, Consulting Arborist, Mediation and Conciliation Practitioner, and Workplace Trainer background gives me the knowledge to coach you to be your best:
The 6 ways Your Landscape Journey Coaching can help you improve your business skills:
In an ever-changing landscape industry, keeping pace with the latest developments is essential for success. As a coach, I can offer you personalised guidance and expert insights to expand your knowledge base. Whether you are a graduate looking to bridge the gap between theory and practice or an experienced professional seeking to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, my coaching can help you identify relevant resources, industry conferences, and educational opportunities that will accelerate your growth.
With over 30 years’ experience in running my own Landscape business having managed and mentored many Landscape Apprentices and Landscape Designers, continually reviewing and researching all relevant authorities’ documents to ensure that all our work complies at all times has proven to be an essential aspect of my business model. The detail of this invaluable advice, is available to you through my Coaching service.
Continual development of your skills is essential for all professionals regardless of your industry. Through coaching, I can help you assess your current skillset, identify areas for improvement, and develop customised plans to enhance your abilities. Whether you need assistance with project management, plant selection, or construction techniques, my coaching will provide you with practical guidance to refine your skills.
As a workplace trainer and, with many years as a Landscaper, I can teach you how to analyse your current workflow, identify inefficiencies, and create innovative strategies and tools to optimise your operations, leading to improved project outcomes and client satisfaction.
Running a successful landscape business requires a diverse skill set, including business structure and policies, financial management, creating contracts that are compliant as well as fostering strong client relationships.
If you are a recent graduate or landscape professional wishing to embark on your own business venture, my coaching service can help you to formulate strategies to attract clients and gain valuable insights on successful business management. Additionally, I can provide assistance in establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers or subcontractors, ensuring a strong foundation for your business.
Disputes and conflicts can arise in any professional setting, and the landscape industry is no exception. With my extensive expertise in dispute resolution, I can equip you with essential conflict management skills, enabling you to navigate challenging situations effectively. From contract negotiations to resolving disputes with clients, subcontractors, or other industry professionals, my coaching will empower you to find fair and mutually satisfactory resolutions.
Maybe you have found yourself facing a contractual dispute with a client. I can provide you with guidance on negotiation techniques, assist in contract analysis, and help you develop a resolution strategy that protects your interests while maintaining positive client relationships.
Coaching can be a game-changer for professionals seeking to excel in their careers/businesses. Enhance your skills with the help of your own personal mentor. With my knowledge you will be able to navigate council websites effectively, streamline the approval process, utilise planning information, maintain a healthy relationship with your contractors, resolve design issues confidently, and understand Australian Standards with ease. Investing in coaching will not only enhance your expertise and boost your professional confidence but also enable you to build an impeccable reputation in the landscape industry. Contact me today and let me guide you on Your Landscape Journey. Read on for some of the benefits of signing up for my Coaching service.
Individual coaching sessions provide an invaluable opportunity to receive personalised guidance and mentorship. As a member, you will have access to one-on-one coaching sessions with me, leveraging my extensive expertise to address your specific challenges.
If you have recently completed your studies as a landscape architect or designer and are looking to transition into the professional realm, I can offer you a face-to-face coaching session designed to propel you from student to professional. During our session, I can review your portfolio, offer interview preparation tips, and guide you in navigating the path to securing your dream job.
Continual learning and professional development are crucial for success in any industry. As a member, you will have exclusive access to a series of webinars conducted by industry experts, covering a wide range of topics relevant to your professional growth. These webinars will empower you with the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, allowing you to stay ahead of the competition.
As an experienced horticulturist you may be looking to incorporate sustainable practices into your work. In our webinar on Sustainable Landscaping, I share innovative techniques, case studies, and resources that will enable you to implement eco-friendly approaches in your projects, attracting environmentally conscious clients and establishing yourself as a leader in this field.
Peer support and networking opportunities are vital for career advancement and business success. As a member you will gain access to a private Facebook group connecting you with other landscape industry professionals. This platform provides a safe and supportive environment for sharing experiences, seeking advice, and collaborating on industry-related challenges. Providing opportunities to foster valuable relationships and expand your professional network.
Working for yourself can often be an isolating experience, leaving you to second guess your decisions. Joining Your Landscape Journey’s Coaching Collective Facebook group, gives you a safe space to seek feedback on your designs, discuss inspiring trends and share success stories with fellow industry peers.
Why Should You Join? Be motivated, inspired and empowered!
Joining my membership program is an investment in your landscape industry success. Through face-to-face coaching sessions, engaging webinars, and a vibrant private Facebook group, you will receive personalised guidance, industry insights, and a supportive community to help you achieve your career and business goals.
Want to get your ducks in a row and hone your professional skills? Angela can help you find your way through to a mutually beneficial outcome for both you and your clients.
Angela Maroney of Your Landscape Journey looks forward to helping you improve your design process, or if required, navigate dispute resolution and mediation. To arrange a consultation contact Angela angela@yourlandscapejourney.com or check out my coaching page
Angela Maroney, of Your Landscape Journey has over 30 years’ experience, with extensive qualifications in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Horticulture, Consulting Arboriculture and Construction. Angela has a Practitioners Certificate in Mediation (IAMA)
So, maybe you’ve built or renovated your house to minimise the bushfire risk? If so, well done; that’s great. However, why stop there? Given that bushfires are part of our natural landscape, the most important design and construction stage to reduce your risk of bushfire attack is yet to be undertaken … your garden! If your home is your castle then your garden is your moat!
After last year’s bushfire season, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that bushfires are becoming more frequent and with a higher intensity – Causing a greater amount of destruction and impact on many Australians. As the next fire season rolls around again this can understandably bring on anxious feelings and bad memories.
If you are rebuilding after a fire it can be challenging to find the motivation to plan a new garden. However, research shows that gardens have an important role to play. Gardens provide healing, respite and give hope and optimism through new growth and rejuvenation.
This can be an opportunity to think about what worked in your old garden and what you would like to change. Nurseries, friends and family may be able to help you to regain some of your favourite plants lost to fire that held sentimental value to you.
The best news is that there is a lot of design tips I can share with you to get your landscape ready! But before you get your gardening tools out or head down to the plant nursery, we need consider the following factors:
Do your homework for your bushfire prone landscapeIn landscape design; before you begin planning your design for your bushfire prone landscape, it is important to start with research and site assessment. In a fire prone area this is essential!
While there are no guarantees that your property will survive, in the same way as having healthy habits are for your body – this improves your odds.
Understanding How Fire Behaves in the LandscapeBy thinking about how fire behaves we can design to slow potential fire attack on our properties.
Topography or Slope
Are you close to bushland or grasslands, in a rural area or on a semi-suburban block? The steeper the hill, the faster the speed and the intensity of the fire. Flames and radiant heat dry out vegetation which then burns easily.
For instance a mowed lawn or paved areas, terraced areas using retaining walls may be useful in creating defendable spaces.
Weather conditions
Hot, dry and windy days create conditions that increase the possibility of fires starting and sustaining.
Vegetation = Fuel
When there is a lot of vegetation without spaces between this creates a continual path for fire to travel.
Therefore, these factors should be considered in your garden design to reduce your risk.
Consider the existing landscape fuel – this includes leaf litter, plants, mulch, fences, outdoor furniture, outdoor structures and how this fuel is likely to affect your dwelling and it’s defendability.
Create your Defendable Space around your HomeIn your defendable space the idea is to modify the vegetation to prevent direct flame contact where possible.
Can you provide access for emergency services?
The size and nature of your defendable space requirements will depend on a number of factors, but there should be an inner and outer zone.
As each site will be different, creating your defendable space with a personalised and tailored consultation will improve your chances in a bushfire.
Ongoing Garden Maintenance for Bushfire Prone LandscapesGood garden maintenance is essential in a bushfire prone landscape, so you need to plan your bushfire prone landscape with this aspect in mind.
If your garden is large, you don’t enjoy gardening or simply don’t have the time, it is important to plan your garden to be low maintenance. You need to work out how much mowing, pruning, weeding, mulching and raking are you prepared to do each week?
In addition to these jobs, less frequently but still on a regular basis you should check/clear your gutters, check your hoses, roof and walls are in good repair?
It’s important to honest with yourself on this as you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew!
Garden Design and Planning for Bushfire Prone AreasLet’s get started!
Choosing Hardscape Materials for Bushfire Prone AreasWith new products and materials coming onto the market all the time – it’s never been easier to make good hardscape choices. Here’s a few to consider:
Plant ChoicesAll plants will burn eventually but some are slower to ignite and burn.
When you plan your bushfire prone landscape it is important to think about the following characteristics when choosing the best plants:
Plants with a high moisture content
Plant habit
Avoid
ConclusionThink about your site as it is now.
Ask yourself questions about what works and what doesn’t?
So, don’t forgot to consider the factors mentioned above, that make some plants a better choice to include in your plan.
For further recommended reading, please visit the following informative sites.
The information on these sites has been applied and combined with my landscape design principles to help you maximise your garden design to minimise the risk. The following information sources have been chosen because they are a reliable, regularly updated and a trustworthy source of information :
Know when to ask for helpAsking for help doesn’t mean you need to outsource the whole project. Here at Your Landscape Journey we offer phone and virtual consultations that will provide you with direction and support.
We can help you to make a success of your project. With over 30 years’ experience, there’s little in the landscaping world that we haven’t seen or done. We know all the tricks of the trade. We can provide feedback on your ideas and help you to get exactly what you want.
Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed.
We’re right here ready to act as your guide, mentor, sounding board or trusted advisor.
Tips …
Do your homework - check out your local Council website – there is a wealth of information
Also look at the RFS website (or relevant Firefighting Service pertaining to your state), again you will find a wealth of useful information to get you started
Consider the amount of maintenance involved when planning your garden, for most people low maintenance design will be the best option
Understand how fire behaves
Garden design: now that you are armed with the above information you are ready to make your best plan!
Know when to ask for help
Good plant selection
Choosing non-combustible/low combustion hardscape material choices can make a huge difference