Residential Car Park – Tree Protection Zone,
Pacific Link Housing (PLH) 

Canton Beach, Central Coast NSW

PLH works to develop housing solutions that are innovative, tenant focused, environmentally and financially responsible.

This proposal involves the construction of a two-storey residential flat building comprising 14 dwellings most of which are 1 Bedroom.

The building will have a significant micro inverter solar PV system on the roof, and retention and reuse of rainwater within the landscaped areas.

Challenges

How to deliver sufficient density, whilst protecting the existing mature trees within a neighbourhood where they are a defining characteristic of the street forming the dominant element within the skyline and streetscape.

The proposal has evolved from a comprehensive design review process and site analysis, with 15 at-grade car spaces, including two adaptable spaces and one visitor space 371.2m2 of soft landscaping across the site and retention and protection of one mature eucalyptus tree and two Norfolk Island Pine trees.

The site has been substantially cleared and accommodates a fill pad raised to 0.8-1.2m in height which provides an appropriate response to identified environmental constraints, including flooding and significant trees.

Our Approach

TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 was chosen by the Terras design team to deliver a drive on surface that allowed water to infiltrate into the natural ground and for high flows to be directed to catchment drains where nominated.

The required car parks could not have been created without the use of TRUEGRID Permeable Pavement that spread the direct load on the Norfolk Pine root system and created a pervious hardstand area.

The concrete car parks shown sit beneath the first-floor overhang and are within the building footprint.

Implementation

The building envelope had previously been raised to lift it above the flood level which meant that there was little excavation required for the preparation of the car park area.

The contractor used Treated Pine edging to surround the tree trunk and allow for movement. The balance area was kerbed using concrete.

A Geofabric layer that allowed for some infiltration was placed across the total area on the prepared ground with water flowing towards the garden beds.

A minimum 100mm of 20mm angular gravel was used as a subbase but the depth varied based on the location of the existing tree roots.

TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 was then installed with Superspot Line Marking set out as required and then the area was filled using a 10mm angular stone.

Outcome

The project has delivered the required parking spaces whilst still maintaining the well-established trees that are a critical component of the neighbourhood character, in considering the environmental characteristics of the site and the scale the proposed development, the use of TRUEGRID has supported the delivered outcome.

As an alternative to Concrete and Asphalt TRUEGRID is proud to support professionals who seek to design in a way that values the importance of water in health of our Fauna, Flora, Landscape and ultimately the people who live there.

Whether that is for affordable low-cost housing, standard residential or luxury housing projects.

TRUEGRID Pro Plus S Flex 48 is the only permeable paver specifically engineered for commercial development and industrial-grade parking lots that can handle heavy loads, and high traffic and maximise land utilisation.

● 100% Permeable Paver
● 100% Post-Industrial Recycled HDPE
● S-Flex prevent cracking with the movement of soils and change in seasons
● X anchors leverage gravel to anchor grid
● Rated 25 tonne per axle
● Deep cells eliminate gravel migration
● Works with SuperSpot Parking Markers
● 40 + years, virtually maintenance-free

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