Kinley Stage Four Retarding Basin Reserve

Location: Lilydale, Victoria

Client: Intrapac Property Group

Collaborators: Reeds Consulting, BILD Group (Landscape)

The suburb of Lilydale, around 35km east of Melbourne’s CBD, contains what used to be one of Victoria’s most significant quarries, with a rich history is now known as Kinley Estate. Kinley Estate has now become Lilydale’s newest housing estate.

Collecting and treatment of estate stormwater is a key element of modern residential estate delivery. The Kinley Estate Stage 4 Retarding Basin is one of four larger-scale, water-quality treatment/storage facilities to be delivered as part of the overall stormwater management plan for the entire estate. The Kinley Stage 4 Retarding Basin comprises both water quality treatment and detention storage functions.

The basin also provides significant opportunity for passive and unstructured recreation activity. Walking trails encompass the central detention basin and provide connections into and out of the reserve, including a connection to the southernmost extent of the Warburton Trail, leading through to the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley.

A sheltered picnic area, overlooking a small nature play zone that threads between paths, lawns and garden beds provides a safe space for parents to keep an eye on younger children as they explore the fairy ring and trails through the landscape. The park also provides free Wi-Fi connection.

The planting palette for the basin and associated bio-retention rain garden is drawn from local indigenous species. In a nod to the horticultural heritage of the broader area, deciduous trees line an upper landscape terrace and provide a transition to terrace housing overlooking the reserve. Extensive stone retaining walls from the original site quarry provides a material link to the site's former history.