NEWS
GIS AND VISUALISATION LEAD
Congratulations to Rei on her well-deserved promotion to GIS and Visualisation Lead!
We are thrilled to recognise Rei's outstanding skills, dedication, and expertise in the field. This promotion is a testament to her hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence and in fostering a dynamic and productive work environment.
We look forward to witnessing your continued success as you navigate the GIS and Visualisation team through our ongoing advances with technology and innovation.
ISO CERTIFICATION
We are thrilled to announce that we have achieved ISO certification 9001, 14001 and 45001!
At Moir Landscape Architecture, we take immense pride in our commitment to excellence in design. We are delighted to be recognised for our strong processes and dedication to delivering high-quality results and innovative design solutions. This certification reinforces our promise to consistently exceed industry standards and validates our rigorous approach to design, and our ability to deliver efficient and innovative solutions.
WELCOME TESSA DOBBS
We are thrilled to welcome Tessa Dobbs as a senior associate to our growing team.
Tessa's impressive background spans over 20 years of international industry experience, having worked with several prestigious design practices. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, having successfully managed projects from initial bids and tenders through to concept design and practical completion. We look forward to her contributions as we work together to deliver innovative and exciting outcomes on our projects.
BAIN PARK, WAUCHOPE
It is exciting times ahead for the residents of Wauchope as construction on Bain Park begins, thanks to a $1.45m grant from the NSW Government Public Spaces Legacy Program.
We were engaged to develop the design and construction documentation for the park which will feature upgrades to entrances and pathways, public art, a bike track and a new playground, supporting the healthy, inclusive, and vibrant community at Bain Park!
MACQUARIE RIVER MASTER PLAN, DUBBO
We are proud of our ongoing association with Dubbo Regional Council. Our latest involvement in the preparation of the Macquarie River North and South Precincts Master Plan has been a fantastic collaborative experience. Our team, along with Dubbo Regional Council , SALA4D and several community stakeholders, have worked together to create a master plan that reflects the needs and desires of the local community.
We wish Dubbo Regional Council all the best during the current public exhibition and look forward to continuing to work together to develop this fantastic open space asset for the community to enjoy.
HUNT RESERVE, MOUNT COLAH
It was fantastic to see the opening of Hunt Reserve, a local playground, near Mount Colah.
Our team enjoyed working with Hornsby Shire Council on the design and documentation for this important community asset. The outcome is a great area of public open space that reflects the social and environmental needs of the local community.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Moir Landscape Architecture wish you all a Merry Christmas. Our studio will be closed from 22nd December and reopen on 9th January, giving our team an opportunity to kick back and celebrate the festive season with family and friends.
We thank you for your ongoing support, and look forward to bringing great designs to life with all our clients in the New Year 2023.
AILA REGIONAL SALON
Our team took time out of the office to join the AILA Regional Salon at Delprat Gardens learning about phytoremediation at this contaminated site.
We toured the four different gardens and were amazed at the trial areas and the results to date. Congratulations to the University of Newcastle for this incredible project.
SURFEST 2023
PARKS FOR PEOPLE CELEBRATIONS
HAPPY WORKPLACE ACCREDITATION
It is said that, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”.
We are proud to have been formally recognised as an Accredited Happy Workplace from Social Enterprise BU Happiness College, after our staff completed a comprehensive survey on all aspects of our workplace culture and environment.
A harmonious and happy workplace is something we have always strived for as it is how we have attracted some of the best staff from all corners of the world.
RUOK?
RUOK day is a reminder to empower us all to meaningfully connect with the people around us and start a conversation with those in our world who may be struggling.
Since 2020, we have routinely been offering check-ins with a psychologist reducing the stigma around mental health and seeking of professional help. We also recognise the need for a safe environment to be vulnerable and open about not being ok, and our regular farm stays have created a space for authentic connections.
REGIONAL CONTRIBUTION COMMENDATION
At the Parks & Leisure Australia (NSW/ACT) awards ceremony in Lismore last week, our Wiradjuri Garden received a Commendation for Best Regional Contribution.
The Wiradjuri Park design values the heritage of the local indigenous culture and concepts of caring and designing with country through the replanting of endemic bushland species, the integration of purpose built gathering, educational and contemplative spaces, serpent themed nature play space and distinct pathways that represent both the past, present and future history of the area and the rivers that border Wiradjuri country.
PROMOTIONS
At our End of Financial Year Luncheon, we were pleased to announce the promotion of the following team members:
- Annabel, Senior Landscape Architect
- Shivani, Project Landscape Architect
- Saurabh, Project Landscape Architect
We thank them for their commitment to our team, our clients and our projects. Congratulations!
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARD
At the AILA NSW Awards presentation in Sydney, our project Carrington Foreshore Improvements won the Community Contribution Award and was commended for our “consideration given to sustainable use of materials and Indigenous culture.” The newly lit section of pathway will greatly benefit the foreshore activation and extend an invitation to the broader community to reclaim this public space as their own.
Thank you to Carrington Community Council and Newcastle City Council for recognising the need to improve local amenity and working towards this great outcome.
REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
At the recent AILA NSW awards, our Bridges Hill Park and Walking Trail was awarded the Regional Achievement Award. The project was considered a real gift to the local community in its well-executed design and implementation. “The Jury was especially buoyed and impressed by the priority given to collaboration between the landscape architects and the council operations team. The commitment made to authentically involving, listening to and up-skilling council workers is outstanding and overcomes the perceived division between design and implementation.”
We would like to congratulate Cessnock City Council, Acor and Studio2 for working collaboratively towards this fantastic recognition.
CONGRATULATIONS SHIVANI!
WIRADJURI PARK, DUBBO
Wiradjuri Park in Dubbo creatively combines storytelling and landscape through the use of materials, art and planting to celebrate the layered history, aspirations and natural landscape of the Wiradjuri and Dubbo Community.
The strong engagement and involvement with the Wiradjuri Land Council provided unique input to showcase the rich cultural history of the local Aboriginal people, their traditional seasonal activities, and mythological stories. Watch our fly-through video here
GOLDEN WHISTLER PARK, ABERGLASSLYN
We designed the new play space at McKeachies Run in Aberglasslyn with opportunities for discovery, adventure and community gathering.
The key elements of the design include dynamic and inclusive play equipment and opportunities for nature play and imaginative play spaces encouraging children to engage with nature and be physically active. Additional paths connect with the overarching pedestrian network, additional shaded seating and picnicking areas encourage social gatherings and create a sense of community within the new estate. Watch our video here
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Moir Landscape Architecture would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We hope you get to celebrate it with your loved ones.
Our studio is closed from 22nd December until 10th January, gifting us time to relax, unwind and recover from 2021.
We thank you for your ongoing support, and look forward to the New Year 2022. Stay safe!
RECRUITING FOR GRADUATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
We are seeking a full-time Graduate with 1-3 year’s experience who is interested in developing their career in our design studio in Newcastle. You will be exposed to a diverse range of projects and have the opportunity to work closely with our team, Clients and fellow Consultants.
Proficiency in Vectorworks/AdobeCC/Sketchup is a must and experience in ArcGIS and Windpro would be advantageous. You must have excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience in report writing. Applications are now open until 20 February 2022.
WE ARE BACK!
This week we opened the doors to our studio for those team members who felt ready to return under the current Covid guidelines. It has been a joy to hear the buzz of real life conversations and laughter throughout the day.
We continue to work in a manner that supports our team feeling safe and enable us to deliver on our clients projects. We are grateful for the trust we continue to build with all our stakeholders, internally and externally.
LLEWELLYN STREET, MEREWETHER
As part of the City of Newcastle’s Local Centre Program, we have been involved in the streetscape improvements of Llewellyn Street, Merewether. In a response to the program objectives to improve amenity, liveability, vibrancy, environmental sustainability and viability of our local commercial precincts, we designed new kerb extensions for outdoor retail and dining opportunities; new street and footpath lighting to improve night-time safety; a range of seating opportunities to encourage social interaction; improved cycle infrastructure to encourage bike use for short trips; new traffic calming treatments to improve pedestrian safety; in road street tree and green under-storey plantings to provide shade and green the streets and retention of car parking near key retail, grocery and service providers.
R U OK?
In our current stay-at-home workplace, the wellbeing of our team is our number one priority and we have developed a resilience library that support our regular one-on-one check-ins. We also believe in finding lightness and humour in each day. A part of our wellbeing initiatives includes the option to join a weekly zoom meeting where we play games, host competitions, and have a laugh. Last night, we played a game of reverse celebrity heads. Having fun and connecting in ways that are not only work related, brings us closer together. Allowing ourselves to be silly or vulnerable makes us more than a human resource, it makes us human beings. Last night was fun and games, but not everyone joined in, and that is OK. Because it is OK not to be OK. So, call a friend or connect with a colleague today and ask, “R U OK?”
CONGRATULATIONS
We are so pleased for Yong on being awarded his Bachelor of Design (Architecture) from the University of Newcastle. What a fabulous year you have had; becoming a dad to little Leon, completing your Bachelor degree and your promotion to Associate.
Congratulations from all of us at Moir Landscape Architecture.
CASBURN PARK MASTER PLAN
Moir Landscape Architecture recently developed a master plan for Casburn Park situated in the heart of Wingello Village.
During the January 2020 bushfires that devastated vast areas of the Southern Highlands including Wingello Village, Casburn Park was the centre of activity for bushfire volunteers, operations and a community muster point prior to being evacuated. The scars of the fires are still evident in the park and the village surrounds and the renewal of Casburn Park is an important opportunity to help heal the community.
STAY AT HOME ORDERS FOR NEWCASTLE
As Newcastle and the Hunter Region has gone into a 7 day lockdown, our team have moved to working from home.
Our studio will be closed, but we are still open for business. We have re-instated our work methodology from last year, and are still delivering our projects to the high standard you have come to expect of us at Moir Landscape Architecture.
We hope you are all staying safe and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
NEW SENIOR ASSOCIATE
It is great to have had Tim Buykx join our growing team as Senior Associate. Tim is a great communicator and we are looking forward to him presenting on our design work to our many awesome clients.
20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
On Monday 19 July 2021, we celebrated 20 years in business. From a one-man band renting a desk space in an office in Broadmeadow to our large team creating incredible projects from our studio space in Islington, we would like to thank all our clients, colleagues, consultants and professional associations who have supported us along the way.
Our team celebrated with a smoking ceremony by Uncle Bill to acknowledge the beautiful Awabakal land on which we work and meet every day.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of the following team members:
- Jack, Associate Landscape Architect
- Mary-Ellen, Senior Landscape Architect
- Annabel, Project Landscape Architect
- Emma, Project Landscape Architect
We thank them for the great effort they have made in progressing their role, career and our studio. Congratulations!
BRIDGES HILL PARK AND PLAYGROUND AWARDED BEST PLAYSPACE
Moir Landscape Architecture in collaboration with Cessnock City Council are thrilled to have been awarded the 2021 Playspace Award (>$0.5M) at the Park and Leisure Conference in Coffs Harbour on 13 May for Bridges Hill Park and Playground.
The playspace weaves the stories of the Wonnarua culture with the unique local site character to create a space for all ages and abilities. It is wonderful to see this playspace that provides a creative, challenging and imaginative play and recreational destination for this small regional town acknowledged. A big thank you to Matt, Lyle and the Cessnock Council internal maintenance team for delivering this significant project for their local community.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Moir Landscape Architecture would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are now closed until 4th January, giving all of us time to relax and recover from 2020.
We look forward to bringing new energy and positivity to our collaborations in the new year. Stay safe!
BRIDGES HILL PARK PLAYGROUND
Moir Landscape Architecture in collaboration with Cessnock City Council are excited to receive a Highly Commended for Stages 1 & 2 of the Bridges Hill Park and Playground in the 2020 National Playspace Design Awards.
We would like to extend a big thank you to Matt, Lyle and the Cessnock Council internal maintenance team for delivering this significant project for their local community. Also a big thank you to the local community for sharing their ideas and aspirations so we could tailor a high quality and accessible play experience specifically for them.
A great result and congratulations to all involved!
KOALA SANCTUARY
The Koala Sanctuary in Anna Bay is an innovative concept combining conservation with tourism and provides visitors with the opportunities of having an up-close experience with Koalas.
The sanctuary story walk is a journey along a winding trail, with narratives told along the way through interpretive signage and large playful koala sculptures, seeking to educate visitors about the hazards koalas face in the wild and provide suitable habitats for their future.
BIRUBI POINT ABORIGINAL PLACE
Birubi Point has opened to the public, and the Reserve succeeded in delivering a valuable place to the community and local people through a multipurpose facility with beach showers and public amenities, skate park, play space, sheltered BBQ area and a large grassed area for picnics, informal sports and events.
In keeping with the cultural significance of the site, a viewing area with an access path on the headland, native landscaping and Aboriginal interpretive signage completes the Birubi Point Aboriginal Place.
CROATIA AVENUE RESERVE
Croatia Avenue Reserve, currently on Public Exhibition, has been earmarked as a local scale passive open space for the growing population of the Liverpool City Council LGA. We built upon the Concept Design developed by Council and the existing unique site narratives and sense of place to create an exciting design outcome that will provide a vibrant and multi-functional passive and play space.
We are excited to see the feedback of the exhibition and continue towards delivering a great outcome for Liverpool City Council and the community.
BIRUBI POINT UPDATE
Construction work at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place is moving along nicely and planned for opening in a few months’ time. Hopefully by then, due to our collective efforts of social distancing, Australia will be in the clear and we can get back to enjoying our beautiful coastal open space with friends and family.
With a modified risk assessment, our project team went out on site yesterday to keep up with the development and assist the construction team with a few questions.
We thank everyone involved for their continued commitment to this exciting new public space.
SURFEST 2020
Moir Landscape Architecture are pleased to be involved in the crowdfunding for the Surfest Women’s Pro 2020 Newcastle alongside other Hunter based businesses.