Adjacent to Portsea Pier and Front Beach, WE Newton Reserve occupies an important position within the coastal landscape of Portsea. The brief was to develop a sustainable, climate-resilient landscape concept for the approximately 5,300 square metre public reserve.

The project began with a detailed assessment of the site’s biodiversity, history, cultural attributes, existing services and environmental pressures. These investigations informed a landscape response designed to strengthen the reserve’s relationship with its coastal setting while considering its long-term resilience.

The resulting concept brings together landscape planning, planting, public spaces and recreational opportunities to create a cohesive vision for the future of the reserve. The design was presented to stakeholders as a framework for discussion and future development.

The project demonstrates how thoughtful landscape planning can help strengthen an existing public space while responding to the environmental challenges and distinctive character of a coastal site.