## 3 Case Studies
### Green Swing Sump Garden  
The Green Swing is the name of the group of \"citizen developers\" who collaboratively developed an innovative residential cluster called Genesis in Lathlain, Victoria Park. The group initiated the project in 2009 as a sustainable living venture by purchasing an 840 m\({}^{2}\) lot, located 5 km from Perth CBD, close to a train station and adjacent to a fenced stormwater sump (Figure 6). The project resulted in the construction of two townhouses and two apartments on the one block. The buildings were designed to be solar passive for thermal comfort and incorporated renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and greywater reuse. An energy monitoring system was installed to monitor energy usage [47; 48]. The decision to develop on the site at 96 Rutland Avenue was influenced by the proximity to the sump, which is one of the 130 such sums owned and managed by the Town of Victoria Park as the local government authority [49]. The group proposed to transform the underutilized space around the sump into a productive and recreational space, and to that purpose received advice from a design consultant for the early stages of the planning process. Figure 4: WGV sump park landscape plan. (Key: 1. Informal nature play with climbing logs; 2. Pathways made from crushed recycled rubble; 3. Gross pollutant traps; 4, 9, & 10. Bubble-up pits from underground cells; 5. Air-vent for underground cells; 6. Limestone boulders; 7. Log seats; 8. Planted street verge; 11. Steps.) Credit: JBA. The majority of the implementation and management of the sump garden was driven by the proponents, in collaboration with a local community garden association, with the aim of setting a precedent that could become a model of biophilic regeneration of underutilized urban green assets in Victoria Park and beyond to other parts of Perth. A landscaping plan for the 175 m\({}^{2}\) site prepared for the sump by the design consultant included revegetation with plant species, as well as some fruit-bearing plants. The plan featured footpaths, garden furniture, and space for community gardening. The lowest part was retained for stormwater infiltration. No additional engineering or earthworks were undertaken because the sump was adequately sized (Figure 7) and unaltered in its function by any of the other landscaping. Its capacity is much smaller than the WGV sump park and was considered more than sufficient to meet the stormwater infiltration requirements. Figure 5: The WGV sump park shortly after completion being used by the public for educational purposes. Credit: JBA. The proposal to convert the sum into a community garden was submitted to the Town of Victoria Park and was endorsed by the council. The Green Swing sump garden became the first satellite community garden for the Victoria Park Community Garden Association, who agreed to manage it. The proponents also anticipated that the innovative sump project would become an inspiration for others to undertake a similar challenge. Figure 6: The sump in Lathlain before and after revitalization. Credit: JBA. Figure 7: Green Swing sump garden landscape plan. (Key: 1. Vehicle access pathway to council requirements; 2. Native verge plantings; 3. Access gate; 4. New fence alignment; 5. Food forest; 6. Original fence alignment; 7. Pedestrian paths; 8. Controlled access and sight lines from adjacent property; 9. and 11. Stormwater outlets; 10. Base of sump; 12. Native grasses and groundcovers to stabilize sump banks; 13. Layered native shrubs and trees for habitat.) Credit: JBA. The project was privately funded by the proponents, and all the landscing work was performed by the residents of Genesis, who also purchased and planted the seedlings [48]. The sump garden upholds its original function as a stormwater basin. The conversion of this formerly underutilized area into a community garden incorporated native plant species, fruit trees, and vegetable garden beds, bee keeping, and chickens (Figures 7 and 8).