RESTORATION AND RENEWAL

At the time of John Egan's acquisition of the Braes Garden, it had not been conserved in a manner suitable to heritage garden assets. As a consequence, arising from this circumstance, the initial element of the conservation process first required the removal of a number of tree species which had either not developed appropriately because of overcrowding, were dangerous because of height and age, or were no longer considered desirable species. For example, the Pinus Radiata were classified as environmental weeds and were preventing the development of undergrowth plant species, leading to both erosion and soil degradation.

Further areas requiring attention in the mid- 90s relate to the management of urban run-off which was causing damage to plant life at the Braes, erosion of the creek banks and the unmitigated and uncontrolled escape of seeds and weeds into the National Park. Arising from these circumstances, staff at the Braes Garden developed a Conservation Management Plan to describe the key elements of the estate which needed to be considered carefully during the restoration, conservation and development phase of the garden.

A number of issues arose due the unique nature of the site, the regulatory setting and the perspective of key stakeholders including the Blue Mountains City Council. A plan was developed to provide a guide for work on the garden estate and to provide a basis to reassess in future years, how works should continue to proceed once the initial restoration program had been complete.

Walls and paths

These include:

• dry stone walls built principally by Eric Johnstone during the 1940s establishment period of consultation with Paul Sorensen,
  
• stone wall on the front boundary onto Grose Street and the abutting east/west wall as well as the terrace wall to the east of the house also built in the 1940s,
  
• further dry stone walls of similar character and craftsmanship built progressively during the various phases of the gardens development,
  
• stone flagging paths both repaired and built during the late 1970s and subsequently,
  
• dams and ponds on Gordon Creek built during the late 1970s. Debris retention ponds built progressively over the years to principally ensure that water flowing into the National Park was free of weeds and urban runoff spoil.,
  
• masonry steps, interlocking pathways throughout the site,
  
• numerous bridges, including creek crossings to facilitate access on the site.
  

All dry stone walls constructed in the 1940s have been inspected and repaired as needed A program of inspection ensures that damage or deterioration is identified promptly so that further damage and/or erosion does not take place.

Many of the stone flagging paths were found to be damaged, mainly by the growth of tree roots under the paths on the terraces. The flags were lifted carefully, the tree roots pruned appropriately and the flagging repaired. This process has become part of the maintenance programme.

The 1940s stone terrace walls required repair which has been carried out. The dams and ponds are inspected regularly and the waste which comes down the creek is removed. In 1997-98, the dam walls were inspected structurally, repaired and rendered. Release valves were installed in each interlocking dam to facilitate ongoing maintenance and the main dam wall was heightened to prevent run off during heavy storms.

Tree Removal

With Council approval, over an extended period, many trees including ALL Radiata Pine trees were removed and an extensive replanting program commenced.

During this program, a significant number of trees which were underdeveloped, though represented attractive species, primarily Mollis Azalea, Rhododendron, Dogwood and Maple, were carefully nurtured, bagged and retained in a major nursery setting for a period of two or three years before they could be replanted elsewhere in the garden. This work was undertaken before any major tree felling so that species worthy of retention, could reclaim their rightful position in the garden.

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Curtilage

The expression 'Curtilage' has acquired a specialised meaning in regard to heritage properties. It is used to refer to the physical and visual surroundings of a property. It has been recognised that part of the value of heritage properties lies in the glimpse they give of how people lived in the past and the atmosphere they enjoyed in particular properties.

The word curtilage was used in England for hundreds of years to describe the grounds of a dwelling in many cases enclosed by substantial walls or fences. These enclosed spaces provided a recognisable domestic atmosphere and often included pleasant parks and gardens. It is now extended beyond the boundaries of the particular property to indicate the background against which the heritage property is seen. It has been recognised that while preservation of heritage properties is important, it is also important to preserve as far as possible some elements of the surrounding environment to indicate to observers the early significance and site of the property.

This is very important where the heritage property is a garden. Some heritage buildings can be part of a more modern development successfully but the significance of heritage gardens is in providing the experience of the older types of garden with preservation of vistas and backgrounds to plantings.

Management of heritage listings by local authorities requires considerable skill and care. Most curtilages would include public properties such as roads and parks as well as private residences or business premises. It may be important to balance external changes with suitable changes to the heritage property itself. This has been the case in regard to The Braes. For much of the time during which the property has been occupied, it has been in a quiet valley bordered by the National Park (south), small private dwellings (east and north) and by an open meadow (previous market garden) to the west.

Along much of the western boundary of The Braes was a large stand of very tall radiata pine trees (25-30 metres). These were removed at the end of 2003 with Council permission, returning the vista from The Braes towards the east to the way it was 70 or more years before, with a view of the small farm cottage and green open space.

The meadow has been redeveloped with the construction of a large very modern house. In order to provide a suitable curtilage for The Braes garden, screening is necessary along the western boundary. This is, of course, subject to the appropriate local government procedure which is in train.

Our curtilage proposals on two previous occasions have been supported by Council's Professional Staff and over 600 garden lovers who signed a petition when visiting the garden. A majority of councillors did not support our proposals.

Our current amended submissions have been designed by Matthew Taylor, a much awarded Heritage Landscape Artist and our curtilage planting is supported by the National Trust.

A photographic montage depicts the nature of the changes to the Braes setting and the criticality of restoring the curtilage.

Site Remediation and Run Off
For many years and certainly preceding our occupancy of this precious site, urban runoff had led to substantial erosion and created a circumstance whereby the dams in the north
eastern corner of the site were full of litter and garden refuge.

We have substantially remediated this problem over the past ten years. Now the quality of the water running into the National Park is of a standard with which we can be pleased.

Watercourses and Ponds

The main aim of management of the watercourses is to achieve a clean, healthy flow of water in both creeks, allowing a strong flow of clean water into the National Park. This maintains and encourages local flora and fauna in and near the creeks.

The bed of the Gordon Creek
The creeks have steep watercourses exposing part of the Narrabeen Group sandstone which underlies the property. The north-south creek has been dammed near the north-eastern boundary creating a series of curved ponds which retain sufficient water to provide a good habitat for the local native duck population while preventing much of the pollution getting into the creek. This population is, however, under constant threat from feral cats and foxes which intrude into the property.

Urban run-off down the Gordon Creek June 1998
The ponds in both watercourses act as pollution traps and are cleaned regularly and checked for the presence of weeds. A wide variety of pollution comes down the creeks including:

• domestic waste notably plastic bags, food containers, food scraps, glass and cardboard,
  
• commercial waste including packaging, glass, and
  
• miscellaneous waste such as syringes and bottles,
  
• grass clippings, leaves, garden cuttings and eroded soil.

A future project will entail continuing negotiation with the Council for the better management of the creeks upstream in regard to urban run-off. As well as the pollution listed above, the creek brings down with it silt, grass clippings, bark, mulch and other garden rubbish. If all these are allowed to build up in the creek bed it encourages the growth and transmission of weeds as well as potential transmission of fungal disease which can impact on both The Braes garden assets and those in the National Park.

Another source of pollution in the creeks is the run-off from the streets under and near which the creeks flow. The creeks often have a slick formed from petroleum by-products or bitumen ingredients leached out of the streets and roads. These dissuade the development of healthy bacteria in the creeks. They also constitute pollutants.

Following implementation of our pollution management plans and installing of release valves in all ponds, water quality has improved.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

The core objectives for the management of the garden included:

• The conservation and management of the heritage elements of the garden
  
• The design and establishment of new gardens to compliment the heritage garden
  
• The improvement of the water courses on the estate and the protection from pollution coming from other properties.
  
• The establishment of attractive and functional curtilage with neighbouring properties including the national park and community land
  
• The appropriate remediation of all disturbed areas
  
• The establishment of a good relationship with the community for better appreciation and protection of the Braes.

This program was also developed in collaboration with extensive architectural planning in relation to the siting of a new principle residence on the knoll, while currently providing a residence with adequate accommodation reflective of a garden estate of comparable scale, so that in 50 or 100 years time, appropriate resources existed in relation to accommodation, irrigation, propagation, while retaining the Heritage attributes and enhancing the garden environment, reflective of the European origins which sponsored the development of these gardens in cool climates settled by Europeans from the late 18th century.

The development of a garden on a complicated and extensive site like that of The Braes requires a combination of continuous maintenance and a series of major projects.

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Original Sorenson Stone Wall

Front Entrance to The Braes

Radiata Pine Removal
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1959: Aerial photograph depicts the development of the initial plantings at The Braes and the curtilage between Karoola, then an active market garden in the ownership of the Knight family, which remained until the early part of the current century. It also highlights the planting of conifers on the knoll and the boundary of the driveway still in evidence today.

1996: This photo reveals dense forest-like plantings adjacent to Karoola of Radiata Pine. Approval for their removal was granted in 2003 as part of the site's restoration being more reflective of the Sorensen intent.

Run off from neighbouring properties

State of the principal dam prior to remediation.

Remediated Gordon Creek and environs.

Restoration of southern lot adjacent to National Park substantialy complete facing open meadow adjacent

Outlook from the knoll reflecting recent significant development to the west, reflecting distinctive attributes, dramatically different from the adjacent Leura Village precinct.