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LANDSCAPING SERVICES FEATURE

new species of trees and undergrowth had
been completely suffocated.
I was familiar with this site through my
work at Umhlanga Ridge over many
years and the concern of this particular
area was that it was completely overrun
by alien species; over and above this,
there was no attempt to comply with
the environmental issues that were
profoundly evident.

All aspects of environmental landscape
work were undertaken in this project and
are still being addressed. These issues
include compliance with the design
brief, protection of existing elements,
long term sustainability, rehabilitation
of natural elements (although there
were virtually none, so this has had to
be introduced) and using the correct
approach to creating a natural forest.
Overall, it was a brilliant transformation!

The second project, also quite remarkable, McWades Landscapes: Pathway connecting levels McWades Landscapes: Entrance to
was the complete transformation of an restoration places
unused space in a poorly developed
area into a state-of-the-art children’s
play park. Here, attention was given
to equipment chosen – it was self-
sustaining, hardy, carefully laid out in the
landscape and beautifully executed by
Conmar Horticulture.

The experience of being a judge has
been hugely educational and humbling.
Judging a project is about assessing
how it fulfils the brief, and about
how the landscaper has achieved this
compliance. Innovation, protection of
existing elements, sustainability and
rehabilitation of natural elements are
other aspects that contribute towards
producing a landscape that will result
in a winning project. Training and the
application of skills learnt are essential
in order to grow knowledge and improve
standards.

I consider it a privilege to have been
selected as a regional head judge in KZN McWades Landscapes: Continuation of McWades Landscapes: Areas of
and congratulate all the SALI members rejuvenation of forested area enjoyment and natural extension
who have won awards. Well done!

Sustainable Landscaping evaluation will be undertaken. It is a very is a participatory programme in webinar
Programme worthwhile programme to be considered format dealing with the essence of
This will be run by myself, as my own by management and supervisory teams. planting, maintenance thereof and
programme, but under the auspices producing a well-researched landscape.
of SALI. The whole process of creating A landscape maintenance and
sustainable landscapes is open to management programme recently Basic Landscape Design Course
interpretation and this particular formed part of the SALI training calendar A two-day basic landscape design
programme will ensure that the for 2022 (in webinar format) and over course will be presented by
methodology used to develop and guide 60 candidates attended. It focused Jo-Anne Hilliar in February 2023.
management and team leadership is clear on students learning team leadership For further information on the
and understandable. This will in turn guidance in order to bring about an course outline and costs, email
ensure that landscapes will become more efficient and professional landscape, info@ldconsultantsinternational.com or
self-sustaining and water wise, which is including administrative expertise, phone 082 570 5858.
now absolutely mandatory. The course, management aspects, mentoring,
in webinar format, will be held next year process implementation, creating a
and will be advertised by SALI for its more professional approach for the Information and photos supplied by Jo-Anne
members. At the end of each session, an client and improved communication. It Hilliar. info@ldconsultantsinternational.com n

Landscape SA • Issue 118 2022 23