Botanical Traditions - Bridgewater Solar Power Plant

Solar Systems is an Australian company that already operates small commercial solar power stations in central Australia and is in advanced talks to export its technology through the Asia Pacific Partnership. In keeping with its sustainable background and environmental philosophy the decision was made to also develop the landscape around the Heliostat fields in a sustainable manner.

Previously the site has been used for grazing so no remnant vegetation is found on the site.In fact in the north central region of Victoria only 12.7% of the regions original native vegetation cover remains - much of this is in road reserves. The area also has a low rainfall.

Prior to planting an extensive planning stage was undertaken to develop an integrated water management plan for the site. An integrated approach meant that all sources of water could be used on the site for irrigation and establishment of plants. In addition to this care was taken to use plants indigenous to the area and where possible grown from seed sourced from a nearby location. We developed a number of zones around the perimeter of the property for conservation reasons while other areas were for aethethetic or other reasons. The Conservation areas were planted with the original type of plant community (Plains Grassy Woodlands) which occurred on the site. Other areas were planted with the same plants but at a higher density to form a number of visual screens. The integrated management plan was implemented on the site. This meant that the best use of alternative water sources such as rainwater, greywater and blackwater was made. Botanical Traditions prepared the Treated Greywater System permits required for this site.

Small dams are located through the site and when it rains this will will enable the creation of a wetland which will provide valuable habitat for birds and other aquatic life as well as filling a water treatment role. The site contains a massive Raingarden - it may avtually be the largest in Australia.

A number of soil berms were required for screening purposes. These berms will be planted with a nursery crop while native grasses establish.

It is predicted that the effects of climate change on the north central region of Victoria will be drier winters and springs with hotter summer days and fewer frosts in winter. It also is predicted that there will be extreme rainfall events, but less smaller showers. An extensive swale system was designed to help to mitigate the problems of high rainfall events while the planting in the area will help to absorb carbon dioxide.

This project was a finalist in the Greenplumbers commercial project of the year 2008. It was also highlighted in the Premiers Sustainability Awards of 2009.

 

Prior to Work Commencing		Work Commencing on Main Access Road
Work Commencing on Raingarden and Cooling Pond		Main Access Road after planting

Greywater Treatment System and Planting 6 months		Tubestock after 6 months