Jagera Land

Landscapology is providing landscape architectural input for
this project to recover the health of the main lake at the University
of Queensland, a 70-year old constructed lake suffering from
frequent blue-green algal blooms and poor water quality.

The lake is one of the largest pieces of the St Lucia campus
landscape, holding significant recreational and amenity value for the UQ and wider community.

During the first stage of construction, the lake was dewatered, and more than 250 turtles and 600 native fish, including a rare Queensland Lung Fish (Neoceratodus forsteri) were relocated.

The project will also see the following implemented to improve water quality and habitat:

• stabilisation and capping of lake bed sediments;

• reduction in water depth;

• introduction of wetlands at the northern and southern ends of the lake, connected by a thin band of wetland to the western edge, to provide in-lake water treatment;

• diverse habitat including woody debris and turtle ramps; and

• over 70,000 new plants.

Landscapology’s role within a multidisciplinary team led by E2
Designlab is ensuring visual amenity, landscape values, access
and movement, opportunities for engagement and delight are
retained and strengthened alongside the scientific and ecological
renewal works.

All existing sandstone blocks forming the existing lake edge have been retained on site and integrated into the design to form:

• informal seating areas that curve and flow to reference to stream that was originally dammed to create the lake;

• fauna basking clusters, rock ramps and varied aquatic habitat;

• edging to expanded popular lawn areas; and

• traces of the previous lake edge within new planting beds.

Construction is well advanced, and due for completion later in 2023.

More information is available at the University’s project webpage.

Collaboration

Lead Consultant/Civil Engineering/Ecology: E2 Designlab

Head Contractor: Golding

Landscape Contractor: Landscape Solutions

Irrigation/Pumping: Peel Consultants

Lighting: Webb