Champion Lakes Regatta Centre wins AILA land management award

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) WA named the Champion Lakes Environmental Management Plan as the winner of the 2010 Land Management category on Friday 14 May.

The award-winning plan was created by landscape architects Plan E, who were engaged by the Armadale Redevelopment Authority (ARA) to design the lake surrounds, including plant species and provide advice for ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of the site.

The Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, constructed and operated by the Armadale Redevelopment Authority (ARA), is an international standard, purpose-built rowing and canoeing facility within the City of Armadale.

Acting Chairperson, Charles Johnson, said the Land Management award was an outstanding achievement for Plan E and Champion Lakes, considering the site was once a denuded wetland area with soil quality and salinity problems.

"The environmental management plan that was developed for Champion Lakes was designed to ensure the facility did not only meet strict environmental development conditions, but exceed them and actually contribute to the ecology of the region," Mr Johnson said.

"Champion Lakes now boasts a 54.3 hectare Conservation Category wetland adjacent to Wungong Brook, including 32.7ha of permanent open water.

"An area of just over 21ha has been set aside for conservation including protected islands, wading bird habitat and revegetated bush sites.

"A total area of about 40ha has been planted following construction of the lake, including public open space, lake banks and fringing vegetation.

"The ALIA award provides recognition for Plan E’s outstanding work on this project and the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre as a high-standard sporting and recreation facility the whole WA community can be proud of."

The Awards Jury comments on the Champion Lakes Management Plan said that it "provided a comprehensive framework for management of a wide range of environmental and landscape issue.

"The Plan is far ranging in scope and detail … which aims to ensure sustainability of environmental systems within highly-utilised, water-focused recreation areas.

"The Jury considered the project noteworthy in setting an example for management of complex ecosystems within the context of a developing urban environment."