Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi Wetland

Tonkin has had ongoing involvement in the Brown Hill and Keswick Creek South Park Lands Stormwater Project for more than ten years.

The Project was identified as a key flood mitigation measure in the Brown Hill and Keswick Creek Stormwater Management Plan and is being delivered by the Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks Stormwater Board, a subsidiary of the cities of Adelaide, Burnside, Mitcham, Unley and West Torrens.

The creek system flows through a large part of metropolitan Adelaide and the works identified in the Stormwater Management Plan are designed to substantially reduce the number of properties that would be affected in the event of a 100-year average recurrence interval flood event.

Between 2009 and 2014, Tonkin undertook feasibility studies and concept development to support the early planning stages of the project. The scope of services included floodplain mapping, water quality modelling, investigations into the contamination status of soils, water harvesting and reuse, aquifer storage and reuse, and heritage considerations. Tonkin also facilitated consultation with a range of organisations and stakeholders.

We subsequently teamed with DesignFlow and Taylor Cullity Lethlean to develop the detailed design and documentation for this integral stage of the project, which includes a 3.2 hectare wetland at Victoria Park /Pakapakanthi (Park 16).

Construction of the wetland component of the South Park Lands Stormwater Project, featuring wetlands at Victoria Park /Pakapakanthi, was completed and opened to the public in May 2022.

To successfully deliver this stage of the project, a diverse range of engineering, environmental and landscape design expertise was required. We presented a united team that comprised specialists in all facets of the design and delivery process, led by Tonkin. The combined design team of Tonkin (project lead, flood mitigation modelling, civil design and management of contaminated soil), DesignFlow (wetland design) and TCL (landscape design) had both a long association with the project, combined with ‘fresh eyes’ to explore the wetland and landscape designs and identify additional opportunities and improvements.

Tonkin also provided tender and construction phase services, and soil investigations during this stage of the project. In addition to reducing flooding through the Park Lands and western suburbs of Adelaide, the wetlands will deliver a range of benefits including improving water quality, enhancing the biodiversity of the area, and creating amenity for park users, such as spaces to picnic, rest and to watch sport.

Tonkin hopes to continue our involvement in future stages of the implementation of the works identified in the Stormwater Management Plan, which is anticipated to continue until 2036.

Tonkin’s specialist hydrology and hydraulic engineering expertise, combined with our involvement in the project over more than ten years, helped deliver exceptional outcomes that will have ongoing environmental, economic, social and safety benefits. 

The multi-disciplinary project team comprised of Tonkin’s engineering and environmental experts, and external technical specialists, provided the client with one point of contact for planning and issue resolution, resulting in a seamless project management experience.

Tonkin’s in-depth knowledge gained through our historical involvement in the project provided the client with exceptional value. When required, Tonkin’s earlier work and investigations could be easily drawn upon to keep the project moving forward, while also minimising costs for the client.

Our expertise in stormwater and environmental management, combined with our extensive historical involvement meant that Tonkin was uniquely positioned to lead and deliver this exceptional outcome for the Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi Wetland.