This case study relates to Action 5 in the Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise action plan 3.
A Mosman Park social housing complex for seniors is the location for a new waterwise garden approach that goes beyond saving water to creating better connections among residents and nature.
The approach will inform the Department of Communities’ waterwise landscaping design policy for future social housing projects to boost water efficiency, while also bringing social and community benefits.
The garden makeover at the corner of Stirling Highway and Wellington Street was completed late May 2023 and was the result of a joint project by Water Corporation, Department of Communities and environmental consultants The Forever Project, as part of the Waterwise Social Housing Program.
The garden aims to save water while bringing many other environmental, social and mental health benefits, including giving residents the chance to interact with nature as well as each other.
There are nine garden sections, which were planted with more than 3,000 native shrubs, 10 native shade trees and 20 fruit trees, along with rock and log features, herbal and medicinal plants, gabion seating, and patches where residents can grow vegetables. The Town of Mosman Park is also a keen supporter of the project with a donation of 10 tuart trees to provide shade.
The project started with a pop-up garden in late 2022 where two workshops were held, giving the complex’s residents the opportunity to share their preferences and wishes. Based on this engagement, The Forever Project designed the garden.
“We got an overwhelmingly positive response with active involvement from residents who are so excited at having a nice garden around the complex. Meaningful connections were made, with lots of sharing of ideas and wishes that went into designing this shared space,” said Chris Ferreira, Managing Director of The Forever Project.
This approach to creating gardens not only benefits residents, it also contributes to urban greening and cooling, reduces water use through planting waterwise plants, reduces waste by using products made of recycled brick diverted from landfill, and encourages biodiversity by providing a beneficial habitat for insects, birds and reptiles.
Reducing statewide water use in social housing
Water Corporation and the Department of Communities have partnered since 2019 to deliver the Waterwise Social Housing Program, which aims to help tenants reduce water consumption and lower their bills.
To date, the program has seen water-efficient fittings, like dual flush toilets and waterwise showerheads, installed at more than 1,200 statewide social housing properties, saving more than 490 million litres of drinking water, or a reduction of around 20 per cent. The program’s goal is that no social housing tenant in Western Australia should receive higher water bills due to inefficient plumbing.
