Dave’s historic labor of love
Well-known Ballina identity David Loosemore from Ballina firm Aussie Rock Scene is helping to preserve a piece of Lennox Head history.
Dave has recently secured the landscaping contract for Lennox Head’s prestigious new residential hilltop development ‘Elevation’, which promises to deliver an exquisitely landscaped boutique community.
Preservation of the site’s historic dry stone wall has been an integral part of the community design. The wall, which runs the length of the site, dates back to the 1850s when a young John Austin Henderson, newly arrived from Scotland, staked his claim in Lennox Head and introduced the Anglo-Celtic art of dry-stone walling.
Three generations of Hendersons continued the practice – John, Edward and Joe, and their legacy is recognised not only by their stunning walls but through Lennox Head’s well known Henderson Lane.
“My days are long, but it’s worthwhile when you get to work on a project that respects the history and culture of a site,” Dave said.
“Building a residential community should be as much about landscaping as it is about roads and houses and it’s good to see a developer investing heavily in native flora.
“We’re installing hundreds of native trees, shrubs and groundcovers now for stage one, including 34 semi-mature brush box and 30 semi-mature weeping lilly pilly trees.
“The formal entry has kept my team busy these past weeks. It’s contemporary and sophisticated, with intensive landscaping and stone walls built from local stone to complement the existing historic wall.”
The community is a project of joint venture partners Indigo Group and Urbex. The joint venture brings together national experience and focus on achieving best practice in environmentally sensitive design, community development, urban planning and landscape quality.
“We’re doing our best to reflect the rural character, keeping it lush with beautiful streetscapes, shaded streets and good walkways,” says Kenn May, Marketing Manager for Elevation.
“The first stage of the two metre wide landscaped walkway and cycleway is going in now and will eventually link to all the parkland within Elevation. The level, elevated sites present a very rare opportunity in Lennox Head.”
Elevation Stage One offers 21 high, level home sites scheduled for release immediately on completion of landscaping late next month. For sales enquiries contact Kenn May on 1300 762 552 or visit www.elevationlennoxhead.com.au
PICTURE: Dave Loosemore, right, and his staff at the historic Lennox Head stone wall.
