Jeremy de Lavaulx

This proposal at Galada Avenue Reserve in Parkville, Melbourne, aims to understand, facilitate and demonstrate the ecological relationships between the Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) and two of its primary sources of food. The chosen producers of these foods are the Red Gum Psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei and its wax and honeydew ‘lerp’, and the nectar producing state emblem flower - the Common Heath (Epacris impressa).

Along with researching the relationships between these native species, and the relationships with their known environments, three tenets guided the proposed response.

The first tenet is user education through the experiencing of the three species’ relationships and their types (antagonistic, mutualistic or competitive); a process of creative thinking and intellectual abstraction of knowledge into design.

To enable this experience of living design elements, the second tenet is the implementation of a resilient ecological framework responding to various environmental factors. Research and precedent from government, institutions, and First Nations People guided this process.

Aspects of research guiding this design include:

- Restoring elements of pre-1750s (colonial) Ecological Vegetation Classes surrounding the site’s locality (Vic Gov DSE)

- Understanding of constructed wetlands, their ecological benefits, and their requirements (Government publications)

- Urban ecology principles demonstrating plant species which increase ecological function and resilience, and increase species diversity and abundance (Mata et al.)

- The use of the Kulin Nations and Indigenous plant lists (Cumpston & Solomon, 2020)

The third tenet responds to the desire in many children, old and young, to be able to become ‘lost’ in nature. To attempt this on a narrow urban site involved an inwardly curation of views, and the use of topography and vegetation to moderate acoustics and shading.

I acknowledge the Traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work - the Wurundjeri people of Woiwurrung Country in the South Central Victorian Kulin Nations, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.