Beautiful and thriving: three-year trial to choose plants for giant new Southbank garden

A giant garden at the heart of the Melbourne Art’s Precinct Transformation Project will have plant species specially tested for its urban environment.

The University of Melbourne’s Burnley campus will conduct a three-year research project evaluating which plants will best suit the 18,000 sqm public space.

Laak Boorndap will stretch from Hamer Hall to Southbank Boulevard, bordering the Arts Centre, the National Gallery Victoria and its new gallery The Fox: NGV Contemporary.

University of Melbourne Associate Professor in Green Infrastructure Claire Farrell said it was “a gamechanger” to have this scale of plant research embedded in an infrastructure project.

“The plant trials  expand our existing knowledge of plants for green roofs and will help guide plant selection … to ensure they are both resilient and beautiful”, Ms Farrell said.

The research will use shallow rooftop garden beds to mimic the conditions at the future garden in the hopes of identifying species able to flourish year-round and foster biodiversity.

More than 1000 plants across 125 species will be assessed.

The transformation project’s website says both indigenous and introduced species of fauna will be planted.

Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick said, “this partnership will see leading Australian scientists deliver meaningful data to underpin the creativity of Laak Boorndap – setting up our fabulous, world-renowned designers for success in a challenging landscape.”

The garden is expected to be a warm and dry environment, and the trial will factor in future changes to Melbourne’s climate.

The name “Laak Boorndap” was given to the garden by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Aunty Gail Smith.

“To me [Laak Boorndap] means a beautiful place for all people to visit and recognise our Country and our Wurundjeri ancestors,” Aunty Gail said. 

It’s not just a placename, it brings Sky Country, the heavens, and everyone back together on Country.

The trial will be run in partnership between The University of Melbourne, MAP Co, Development Victoria, design practice Hassell, plant practice Super Bloom and international horticulturalists James Hitchmough and Nigel Dunnett.

The Arts Precinct Transformation Project is expected to be completed by 2028.

Work began last year on updates for the Arts Centre’s State Theatre while construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary is projected to begin this year. •