Note: on your plan show the locations of any services (water pipes, sewerage, power, phone, etc) so you can avoid damaging them during the makeover.

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Bartholomew Harper
5 years ago
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Sean's Storm Rugby League fans are a committed breed and Sean Anderson is no exception. In five years he has not missed a home game of his favourite team, the Melbourne Storm.

The Melbourne Storm wanted to give something back to Sean in recognition of his efforts and wrote to Backyard Blitz to ask for some help.

New plantings of blue and gold flowering plants complement established trees and shrubs while providing a reminder of the Melbourne Storm club colours.

1 Sean's Storm Rugby League fans are a committed breed and Sean Anderson is no exception. In five years he has not missed a home game of his favourite team, the Melbourne Storm. As a sufferer of cerebral palsy, Sean overcomes many obstacles to get to each game and in doing so provides inspiration to every member of the football club. The Melbourne Storm wanted to give something back to Sean in recognition of his efforts and wrote to Backyard Blitz to ask for some help. Melbourne based landscape designer Jim Fogarty has created a garden to aid Sean's therapy. A large deck supports a hydrotherapy spa sheltered beneath a pergola and shadesail. New plantings of blue and gold flowering plants complement established trees and shrubs while providing a reminder of the Melbourne Storm club colours. A goal post inspired garden arbour and curving screens produce a new framework for the large garden beds. Existing features of the garden have been enhanced to maximise the potential of this backyard. Adapting this plan to your garden Make a detailed scale drawing of your backyard (eg 1:100) showing the location of the house or main buildings and other major features. Then incorporate the desired elements from our makeover. As your backyard will be a different size, you will need to estimate the amounts of materials you will require. Note: on your plan show the locations of any services (water pipes, sewerage, power, phone, etc) so you can avoid damaging them during the makeover. Permits and approval: many structures in the backyard require council approval as they can have an impact on your neighbours. Pool or spa fencing in most parts of Australia must comply with Australian Standards and may require a building permit prior to construction. Always discuss your plans with your local council and neighbours before commencing building in the backyard.

Getting started A bobcat stripped all unwanted vegetation from the site and excavated beneath Scott's deck area to enable it to finish flush with the existing paving.

Materials Decking: Scott built a heavy-duty deck to support the weight of the spa.

Joists (H3, 90x45mm) skew nailed into the top of the bearers support decking boards (90x22mm) connected with spiral shanked cup-head nails.

2 Getting started A bobcat stripped all unwanted vegetation from the site and excavated beneath Scott's deck area to enable it to finish flush with the existing paving. An organic soil mix was incorporated into the garden beds and post holes were drilled for the deck, football arbour and curved screens. Materials Decking: Scott built a heavy-duty deck to support the weight of the spa. Posts (H4, 90x90mm) installed inground in concrete support bearers (H3, 190x45mm) attached with 10mm galvanised bolts. Joists (H3, 90x45mm) skew nailed into the top of the bearers support decking boards (90x22mm) connected with spiral shanked cup-head nails. A strip of fascia (190x19mm) nailed to the ends of the joists helps to neaten the appearance of the edge of the decking. Blitz Tipz: Scott increased the number of posts and decreased the spacing of all structural members beneath the spa to ensure the extra weight of the spa could be supported. If undertaking a project like this you should consult a structural engineer or a qualified builder. Spa and fencing: a portable 'Optimiser' spa (2320x2320x900mm, 1450 litre capacity) was placed directly on top of the deck and filled with hot water. A semi-frameless safety glass pool fence was incorporated as part of the deck. Powder coated metal fence posts (50x75mm) were bolted to trimmers between the joists and installed inground in quick setting concrete. Corner fence posts were connected to the timber pergola posts and safety glass panels installed between posts using special brackets. Blitz Tipz: Pool and spa fencing must comply with Australian Standards to ensure children cannot enter the pool alone. If in doubt contact the Swimming Pool and Spa Association in your state or phone (Toll Free) for further information. Pergola and shadesail: a square pergola and shadesail have been erected above the spa to enable use of the spa during summer months. Posts (H4,90x90mm) supporting bearers continue through the deck and a beam (H3, 190x45mm) attached with galvanised bolts at the top helps to give the structure rigidity and strength. A square shadesail (3.66m, Bluestone) connected with eye bolts and turnbuckles has been supported between each post. Blitz Tipz: Some shade structures can be connected to the rear of the house and thus reduce the number of posts required. Attachment points need to be solid and a qualified builder or architect should be consulted if you are unsure about positioning or attaching connectors. Football arbour: football goal posts provided the inspiration for the construction of the garden arbour. The arbour was constructed using posts (H4,90x90mm) installed inground in concrete and a beam (H3,90x90mm) connected with

galvanised bolts. The front posts extend beyond the beam to create the impression of goal posts.

Garden beds: the existing clay soil was improved with the addition of an organic garden mix comprised of 50% sandy loam, 20% composted mushroom compost, 24% aged sawdust and 6% chicken manure.

River pebbles and boulders provide some interest to central garden beds and in front of the curved sleeper screens and are also used as a mulch.

3 galvanised bolts. The front posts extend beyond the beam to create the impression of goal posts. Blitz Tipz: Look along the length of all timbers you plan to purchase to ensure they are straight and free of defects. Garden beds: the existing clay soil was improved with the addition of an organic garden mix comprised of 50% sandy loam, 20% composted mushroom compost, 24% aged sawdust and 6% chicken manure. Jody incorporated the soil mix throughout each planting area. An organic eucalyptus mulch spread to a depth of 75mm helps regulate soil temperature and reduce water loss through evaporation. River pebbles and boulders provide some interest to central garden beds and in front of the curved sleeper screens and are also used as a mulch. Blitz Tipz: Some landscape suppliers will create a specialised mix for you if ordering bulk volumes. Plants Shrubs: Austromyrtus 'Aurora', melaleuca 'Revolution Gold' (Melaleuca bracteata 'Revolution Gold'), osmanthus (Osmanthus x fortunei), westringia (Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'), polygala (Polygala x dalmaisiana 'Dazzler'), goldfussia (Strobilanthes anisophyllus), ceanothus (Ceanothus 'Blue Pacific'), hebe (Hebe hulkeana 'Icing Sugar') Perennials: lomandra (Lomandra longifolia) Turf: Kentucky bluegrass

Cost and availability We used some mature plants in our makeover to create an instant effect for television.

Product details An 'Optimiser' portable spa was donated to the Anderson family by Endless Spas in Melbourne.

au Semi-frameless pool fencing was supplied by Tech-Mart Architectural Glazing Systems in Melbourne. Phone (03) 9877 1092 or view the website www.tech-mart.

The square sail cost about $160 and is available in four colours. View the website at www.coolaroo. com or phone Toll Free: 1800 331 521 for more details.

area. You may need to contact specialist nurseries for some plants. Your local nursery should be able to provide you with contacts.

4 Cost and availability We used some mature plants in our makeover to create an instant effect for television. As a result, our total cost of plants and materials excluding the spa and fence, was $11,682. This cost could be reduced to $8,645 by using smaller plants. Product details An 'Optimiser' portable spa was donated to the Anderson family by Endless Spas in Melbourne. Phone (03) for more details on their products or view the website at www. endlessspa.com.au Semi-frameless pool fencing was supplied by Tech-Mart Architectural Glazing Systems in Melbourne. Phone (03) or view the website for further details. Shade sails are manufactured by Coolaroo and are available at large hardware outlets. The square sail cost about $160 and is available in four colours. View the website at com or phone Toll Free: for more details. Most of the plants we used are readily available at nurseries or you can ask your nursery to order them for you or advise on similar varieties suited to your area. You may need to contact specialist nurseries for some plants. Your local nursery should be able to provide you with contacts. Most other materials such as mulch and pebbles are available from large hardware stores and building or landscape suppliers. All tools used are commonly available for hire including the airless spray gun and the bobcat. Getaway details Accommodation: The Westin Sydney 1 Martin Place, Sydney Phone: (02) Fax: (02) westin.sydney@westin.com Web:

Tours: Cafe Sydney Level 5 Customs House 31 Alfred St Circular Quay,

Phone: (03) 5978 6001 Fax: (03) 5978 6102 Acknowledgments Design by

5 Tours: Cafe Sydney Level 5 Customs House 31 Alfred St Circular Quay, Sydney Phone: (02) Web: Sydney Aquarium Aquarium Pier Darling Harbour Phone: (02) Web: Alaskan Malamutes provided by: Merv Turner c/- Dishlickers Resort Phone: (03) Fax: (03) Acknowledgments Design by Jim Fogarty Landscapes Pty Ltd Phone: Construction by the Backyard Blitz team (all gardens are gifts from Backyard Blitz).

6 For more Step by Step Constructions click here Burke's Backyard and Backyard Blitz do not accept payment to promote products. All recommendations are genuine. Burke's Backyard 2003 Details on the fact sheets are accurate at the time of publishing, however prices and contact information are not updated and may change.

Note: on your plan show the locations of any services (water pipes, sewerage, power, phone, etc) so you can avoid damaging them during the makeover.

Note: on your plan show the locations of any services (water pipes, sewerage, power, phone, etc) so you can avoid damaging them during the makeover. Colours and Curves Karina and Choon Teoh moved their family to Australia from Malaysia 13 years ago because they believed that there were greater educational opportunities for their children in this country.