Sydney Seminar Program

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Thursday 15th July 2010

11am
Environmentally Neutral Design Landscaping
Integrating Water, Carbon and Thermo Neutral Design and Technologies, with examples of projects from around the world.

This presentation will illustrate how landscapers today, through the use of innovative technology are able to in effect landscape and make green every single square centimetre of not only urban, but also suburban environments. In addition to light weight and inexpensive roof gardens, there are now applications that allow the installation of vertical gardens, as well as vegetated sustainable car parks. All of this under the concept of Environmental Neutrality, through the use of storm and rainwater harvesting, meaning that all of the landscaped area can be maintained wit water independent from the grid. All of this serving to reduce the enormous thermal footprint and heat island effect that cities produce. Those who attend this presentation will leave with much value in terms of increased technical, landscaping and environmental knowledge that they will be able to apply in current and future projects.

Speaker
Felipe Kovacic, Director of Atlantis, will be giving this presentation that has already been successfully presented generating huge amounts of interest in Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok and New Delhi.

Email:    info@atlantiscorp.com.au
Web:      www.atlantiscorp.com.au
Phone:  1300 38 28 38

1pm
Green Roofs and Roof Top Growing Media
Two trials placing our assumptions under the microscope. No soils allowed but organics welcome.

Specifications for green roof applications in Australia is still in its infancy. Now is the time to be sure that our practices are going to benefit the whole roof top garden and green roof industry while creating long term success. The research addresses some assumptions on substrate performance that until now has not been tested sufficiently. The trials have been carried out by the Hills Bark Blower, Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratories and the University of Western Sydney

Speaker
Penelope Smith is Horticulturalist and Marketing Manager for The Hills Bark Blower. After completing her degree in Horticultural Science at the University of Western Sydney and furthering her studies at TAFE, she gained experience in the UK and Australian Horticulture Media before working on research projects and marketing for The Hills Bark Blower.

Email:    sales@barkblower.com.au
Web:      www.barkblower.com.au
Phone:  02 9654 2288

3pm
Protection of trees on construction sites – the new Australian Standard
This presentation details the new Australian Standard required to be addressed by architects and builders for new developments.

New Australian Standard for the protection of trees on construction sites. Architects, developers, builders and landscape contractors need to know about this recently released Australian Standard. We will be making a formal presentation on this critical new Standard that you will be required to comply with more and more in the near future with development projects of all sizes as Local Government and Public Authorities write the Standard into their control regulations.

Speaker
Paul Laverty, as Principal of Accord Tree Consultants, has a broad range of experience in the profession and decades of experience.

Email:     plassoc@bigpond.com.au
Web:       www.paullaverty.com.au
Phone:   0414 675 736

4pm
Sustainability and Water Conservation
Smart WaterMark will give an interesting and interactive presentation looking at outdoor water conservation in the context of permanent water efficiency measures.

We are moving from crisis management during drought through to a framework of more permanent water conservation measures. The landscape and irrigation industries need to rise to the challenge of clearly communicating the community benefits of irrigating our urban greenscapes through the development of efficient irrigation systems. This presentation lok sat the work of the Smart WaterMark scheme in the promotion of irrigation products and services that save water. It will also include a demonstration of some online tools that can help plan more water-efficient gardens.

Speaker
Julian Gray is CEO of the Smart Approved WaterMark, Australia’s water conservation labelling program for products and services that save water outdoors. He combines an educational background in international communications and environmental science with 20 years’ environmental marketing and communications experience in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors.

Email:     info@smartwatermark.org
Web:       www.smartwatermark.info
Phone:   02 9223 3322

5pm
Managing Trees in Urban Environments
Launch of the New Dictionary and presentation on Urban Arboriculture in the 21st Century

Launch of the new “Dictionary for Managing Trees in Urban Environments” developed by The Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturists (IACA) & published by the CSIRO.

The role of the Arborist in Urban Development & testing methods, research and standards used in compiling an arboricultural report.

Speaker
Dr Jane Tarran: Honorary Associate, University of Technology Sydney: Department of Environmental Sciences

Email:    admin@iaca.org.au
Web:      www.iaca.org.au
Phone:  1300 853 288

Friday 16th July 2010

10am
‘Achieving the Dream’ – discussion forum presented by the Australian Institute of Horticulture
A constructive discussion forum between the disciplines involved in a contemporary landscape project in the quest to develop systems that will ensure the designed intent is achieved.

The development of a quality garden with healthy specimen plants or feature plants requires the input of three related but quite different skilled practitioners. No project concludes with out its share of challenges and occasionally, disputes between the components or worse still, disputes between the three vital disciplines Design, Structure and Plantings.

It’s hard to quantify or to put a monetary value on failed plantings within a development. Suffice to say that failed plantings reflect on all concerned. The client and community are rendered dissatisfied that the initial vision or dream that was sold to them and the product they purchased became a costly nightmare a few years down the track.

The AIH has concerns with regards to contemporary landscaping practices and the effect they have on the plantings achieving their genetic potential, age and the designed intent of the development.

AIH NSW is facilitating a constructive discussion forum between those disciplines involved, in the quest to develop systems that will ensure the designed intent of the development is achieved.

Speakers
Jonathan Garner began his horticultural studies at Ryde TAFE, then completed his study at Merrist Wood College in Surrey, England. He gained valuable experience in large English estates and was employed as Head Gardener at Courtlands Private Estate. Since returning to Australia in 1993, Jonathan has built a reputation as one of the states most skilled gardeners and knowledgeable horticulturists.

Email:     presnsw@aih.org.au
Web:       www.aih.org.au
Phone:   03 5410 0585

1pm
Secateurs Maintenance & Safe use of Pruning Tools
Learn how best to clean, sharpen, lubricate and adjust secateurs. Improve safety, productivity & plant health. Simple principles preventing cuts and lacerations. Tool selection, making tools safe and working practices to prevent RSI.

Properly maintained secateurs prevent RSI and other injuries. They contribute to improved productivity and make work more enjoyable. In addition, the cleaner cuts made by a well-maintained pair of secateurs will accelerate plant healing and reduce the risk of plant disease. Well maintained secateurs are kept clean, sharp, lubricated and correctly adjusted. This seminar will demonstrate how to correctly conduct each of these operations and is a must for anyone who has never been formally taught these basic but essential skills.

Illustrated handout provided.

Speaker
Remy Favre, Director of Felco Distribution. He believes that the role of Felco goes beyond providing the industry with state-of-the-art equipment and feels that the prevention of work injury and advice on tool care is also part of the job. Remy has been delivering hands-on seminars at TAFE colleges, gardening associations and has been in the horticulture industry for over 10 years.

Email:     felco@felco.com.au
Web:       www.felco.com.au
Phone:   03 9569 2511

3pm
Water without watering – Watergrower
Learn how to water plants for up to 3 months without using scheme water and beat any water restrictions.

Watergrower is an ecological product which delivers water to plants through microbes; it is a non hazardous product that combines microbal activity with advanced technology. Once Watergrower contacts dry soil around the plants roots or drip zone, it slowly releases moisture through the common microbe in Watergrower and all soil types. It is a stagnant and non-volatile solid substance produced through solidifying water. This solid substance, biodegradable and free of residue after degradation, does not pollute the soil and can be used as a long-lasting water source. It releases water at a slow rate through microbial interaction in soil and provides moisture for plants for up to 3 months. This property makes Watergrower an ideal spply of moisture for planting in dry areas far from water supply, such as barren hills and sandy land. It is effective in and suitable to all types of soil.

Speaker
Wayne Molly, Business Development Manager at Envirogrower, will be giving this presentation along with a demonstration on how to apply the product.

Email:     wmolloy@envirogrower.com.au
Phone:   08 9402 0069

4pm
Gardens of Shapes and Symbols
Labyrinths, Environmental Psychology and Creativity, examples from a global perspective.

Nature’s geometry is made up of shapes and symbols – a spiral in a seashell, hexagons in a honeycomb, curves in the surf; patterns in rocks, leaves, pine cones. There is artistry everywhere in our natural world. Studies show that humans perform better when in contact with nature. Environmental Psychology is the latest stress reliever for productivity, taking people away from the static office environment can stimulate energy and release blocks in productivity. 10 minutes of Zen, Time Out and walking in the labyrinth path reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. The labyrinth is an archetypal symbol with a history of over 4000 years in its place in humanity. In modern terms they provide a place of solitude and sanctity in a busy and time-poor world, where capturing moments of peacefulness are rare. This workshop will inspire and demonstrate the need and show examples from around the world where labyrinths have made their home in the built environment and in nature.

Speaker
Mark Healy, the director of KITscape has 35 years of experience ni the landscape industry, a passionate artist a Veriditas trained labyrinth facilitator and the Tasmanian rep for The Labyrinth Society.

Email:     mark@kitscape.com.au
Web:        www.kitscape.com.au